H.R. 6548: DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act

The DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act is proposed legislation aimed at enhancing the mental health and wellness of law enforcement personnel within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Here are the main components of what the bill seeks to accomplish:

Establishment of a New Program

The bill would create a Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program within the DHS, overseen by the Chief Medical Officer. This program aims to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing mental health and wellness for DHS law enforcement officers and agents.

Program Responsibilities

The Secretary of DHS will implement the program, which includes several key responsibilities:

• Establish policies and procedures grounded in best practices.
• Conduct research and collect data related to mental health, suicides, and suicide attempts among DHS law enforcement personnel.
• Track trends and successful practices from other organizations focused on law enforcement mental health.
• Evaluate existing mental health programs in various DHS components.
• Promote education and training on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and available resources.
• Create a Peer-to-Peer Support Program Advisory Council to enhance peer support initiatives and establish best practices.
• Assist in developing training programs for families of law enforcement officers.

Confidentiality and Personnel Management

The bill emphasizes confidentiality to ensure that any personally identifiable information collected is not published or used outside the implementation of the program. Additionally, ongoing management responsibilities for the program will fall under a Workplace Health and Wellness Coordinator within DHS.

Coordination Among Department Components

The Chief Medical Officer will coordinate the program across various components of the DHS by designating personnel from each component to interface with the program and manage local mental health initiatives.

Focus on Reducing Stigma and Promotion of Resources

The legislation requires that mental health programs within DHS components provide adequate resources and promote a culture that reduces stigma surrounding seeking mental health assistance. This includes training on the importance of mental health care and establishing clear paths for seeking help anonymously.

Training and Support Initiatives

The program mandates in-person or interactive suicide awareness and resilience training for officers. There will be opportunities for training at multiple stages of officers’ careers, ensuring ongoing support throughout their employment. The bill also includes provisions for training family members of officers and other departmental personnel.

Data Collection and Evaluation

Annual assessments of the effectiveness of programs will be conducted to ensure they meet the needs of the officers. This includes confidential surveys to understand and improve the status of mental health programs. Additionally, any incidents of suicide will need to be reported for further analysis.

Briefing Requirements

Finally, the Chief Medical Officer will be required to provide regular updates to Congress regarding the program’s implementation and its effectiveness, particularly in the first few years following the act's enactment.

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