S5407A

The New York State Senate passed legislation establishing a peer-to-peer mental health support program for first responders, modeled after the successful Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer to Peer support program. Senate Print 5407A, sponsored by Sen. Harckham, passed on a 58-0 roll call vote. The bill addresses the high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among professional and volunteer first responders who experience trauma in the course of their duties. The program would provide confidential peer support, allowing first responders to work with each other while breaking down the cultural stigma that has historically prevented them from seeking mental health assistance. Sen. Harckham noted that first responders often "have no place to put that weight down" after witnessing traumatic events. Sen. Oberacker, a 38-year volunteer firefighter, described his own experience with untreated trauma and praised the bill as overdue. Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, ranking member on Mental Health, highlighted the troubling suicide rate among police officers and called the measure "a great start" in supporting first responders. The bill takes effect 120 days after becoming law.