Chairman Garbarino, Ranking Member Thompson Introduce Bipartisan Suicide Prevention Legislation for DHS Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) and Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) introduced H.R. 6548, the bipartisan "DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act," which would establish the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and require DHS to enhance existing mental health programs.

"Today and every day, we owe a profound debt of gratitude to the DHS frontline personnel who put their lives on the line to keep our nation safe--from the U.S. Border Patrol and the Coast Guard to Federal Air Marshals, and every officer and agent in between. With assaults against federal law enforcement on the rise and in the wake of a historic border crisis, it is more important than ever to support our frontline personnel in every aspect of their homeland security mission, especially their emotional well-being," Chairman Garbarino said. "The 'DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act' will help ensure that these brave men and women have access to the care, resources, and support they and their families deserve."

"With the known suicide rate of DHS's law enforcement workforce unfortunately on the rise in recent years, I am sponsoring this much-needed bipartisan legislation to address this clear health care crisis. By establishing a department-wide Mental Health and Resiliency Program, we are giving DHS the tools it needs to better support its workforce," Ranking Member Thompson said. "I am proud to introduce this legislation with Chairman Garbarino to ensure the men and women protecting our homeland receive the care and resources they deserve. I look forward to the Committee considering our legislation."

Background:

Among other activities, the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program shall:

• Gather data and conduct research on mental health, suicides, and attempted suicides of DHS law enforcement officers and agents;
• Evaluate current mental health and resiliency programs within DHS components;
• Promote education and training related to mental health, resilience, suicide prevention, stigma, and mental health resources;
• Establish a Peer-to-Peer Support Program Advisory Council; and
• Assist DHS components in developing a program to provide suicide prevention and resiliency support and training for families of DHS law enforcement officers and agents and for surviving families of officers and agents who have been lost to suicide.

###