Congressman Tom Kean Jr. Endorses Federal Proposal to Bolster Mental Health Resources for First Responders Nationwide
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a formal statement released from his Capitol Hill office on Tuesday, Representative Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey announced his endorsement of a newly introduced bipartisan bill aimed at significantly expanding mental health and wellness support for the nation's first responders. The proposed legislation, known as the Protecting First Responders from Secondary Trauma Act, seeks to establish a federal grant program to provide specialized training and confidential counseling services for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel who are regularly exposed to psychologically traumatic events in the line of duty.
According to the congressman, the measure was drafted in response to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicating that an estimated 30 percent of first responders develop mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, a rate substantially higher than that of the general population. The bill would authorize competitive grants to state and local agencies to implement peer support programs and fund partnerships with licensed mental health professionals.
Kean, a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, emphasized that the initiative addresses a chronic gap in crisis intervention resources, particularly for volunteer fire departments and rural emergency services that often lack dedicated wellness personnel. The legislation has been co-sponsored by representatives from both parties, and Kean stated he is working to secure its inclusion in an upcoming omnibus health funding package.