September 11th, we mourn the innocent lives lost due to the unspeakable terrorist attacks and thank the brave first responders who selflessly put their lives at risk to save those in danger.

9/11 brings back a lot of terrible memories for people but especially for those first responders. In 2006, 22 percent of firefighters from 9/11 struggled regularly with PTSD related symptoms. Fifteen years after the attacks took place, a study was conducted with 813 first responders from 9/11 in which 12.8 percent of respondents suffered from a cognitive impairment such as PTSD with Flashbacks. Unfortunately, this is too often the case.

In 2018, multiple studies revealed that first responders, specifically firefighters, were 40 percent more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. Our first responders so selflessly put their life on the line every day to help the community and to save lives but are expected to have an “all in a day’s work” attitude. Their mental health is often pushed aside though they regularly experience traumatic events. We can not continue to overlook the poor mental health resources available to first responders.

In January of 2020, Senator Jacky Rosen and Senator Deb Fischer introduced the S. 3244 HEROES Act of 2020 to help provide mental health treatment and resources for firefighters and EMS personnel. This bill would:

Create a data system to capture national public safety officer suicide incidence

Provide peer-support behavioral health and wellness programs within fire departments and emergency medical service agencies

Develop more resources for educating mental health professionals about treating firefighters and emergency medical services personnel

Educate individuals on best practices and other resources for addressing posttraumatic stress disorder in public safety officers

I encourage you all to join me in supporting the mental health of our first responders by advocating for this bill. Please make sure to write to your elected officials in support of this act.