Messmer Column: Addressing Mental Health among Indiana first responders

Local Sources- In this week's Messmer Column, State Senator Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) talks addressing mental health among Indiana first responders.

Confronting mental health issues among Hoosiers is a major priority for Senate Republicans, and we passed several bills this year in hopes of tackling the root causes of mental health problems.

Senate Enrolled Act 1, in conjunction with $100 million provided in the new state budget, works to lay the groundwork to expand the number of certified behavioral health clinics in Indiana.

Another bill approved by the General Assembly to help all Hoosiers was House Enrolled Act 1321. This new law aims at addressing the leading cause of death among public safety personnel like police officers and firefighters, which sadly, is suicide.

According to a 2022 study by the Ruderman Family Foundation, death by suicide is more common among first responders than death in the line of duty.

The legislation adds suicide prevention and mental health training for new recruits at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and annual training for all first responders.

This training can be done virtually so it does not interfere with the required in-person training first responders must already take.

Not only will this new law help save the lives of our first responders, but it will also save the lives of all Hoosiers by making sure police officers, firefighters and EMS are mentally prepared to deal with the very difficult situations they face.

House Enrolled Act 1321 passed the General Assembly unanimously, and went into effect July 1.

As always, feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-382-9467.