S. 2645: DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act

This bill, known as the **DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act**, aims to establish a comprehensive program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) focused on addressing the mental health and wellness of law enforcement officers and agents. The key features of the bill include:

1. Establishment of the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program

The bill mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a program specifically designed for the mental health and overall well-being of DHS law enforcement personnel. This program will be overseen by the Chief Medical Officer of the department.

2. Program Functions

The program will have several functions, including:

• Developing and maintaining policies and procedures related to mental health.
• Conducting research and data collection on mental health issues, including suicide rates among law enforcement personnel.
• Tracking best practices from other organizations to improve the mental health resources available.
• Promoting education and training on mental health well-being and suicide prevention.
• Establishing partnerships with community organizations and mental health services.
• Creating a Peer-to-Peer Support Program Advisory Council to evaluate peer support initiatives.
• Providing resources and support for the families of law enforcement agents, especially those affected by suicide.

3. Data Collection and Evaluation

The program will also focus on regularly assessing the effectiveness of the mental health and wellness initiatives. This includes conducting surveys to gather confidential feedback from officers on their mental health resources and identifying areas for improvement.

4. Training and Awareness

Mandatory training for law enforcement officers will be implemented, which includes:

• Suicide prevention and awareness training to be provided during onboarding and annually thereafter.
• Training programs aimed at reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health help.

5. Confidentiality and Participation

The legislation emphasizes the need to maintain confidentiality for any collected data, ensuring that personally identifiable information is protected. Participation in the programs and surveys will be voluntary.

6. Coordination Among DHS Components

The bill requires collaboration among various components of the DHS to improve resources and programs dedicated to mental health, ensuring all personnel have access to support services.

7. Reporting and Evaluation

Each component of the DHS will need to report incidents of suicide among personnel and any related data, contributing to a broader understanding of mental health issues within the department.

8. Budget and Staffing

To ensure the program's effectiveness, adequate resources and staffing will be prioritized, including hiring necessary personnel to manage the program.

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