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Bera reintroduces bill to support first responders’ mental health
The legislation comes amid growing concerns over high suicide rates among emergency personnel.
Ami Bera / File Photo
Indian American Congressman Ami Bera(D-CA), has reintroduced the bipartisan Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act to expand mental health resources for first responders and health care providers.
Co-led by Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), the legislation comes amid growing concerns over high suicide rates among emergency personnel.
Also read: Rep. Bera leads bipartisan effort to condemn China’s harassment of American citizens
“Our firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel risk their lives daily to protect our communities,” said Bera. “Yet too many first responders lack access to critical mental health support, leading to stress, burnout, and even suicide. It is time to get the HERO Act over the finish line and ensure our first responders receive the care and support they deserve.”
First introduced by Bera in 2018, the HERO Act has passed the House of Representatives three times but has stalled in the Senate. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report annually on first responder suicide rates, develop best practices for treating post-traumatic stress, and establish grant programs for peer counseling initiatives.
Bera emphasized the urgency of the issue, particularly as first responders continue to work under extreme conditions, including California’s recent wildfires. The bill has received endorsements from organizations such as the International Association of Fire Fighters and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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