Mental health treatment bill moves to president’s desk

The Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act, which would improve mental health treatment and support for our nation’s law enforcement officers, now heads to the president’s desk for signature.

The bill highlights the need for suicide prevention. Law enforcement officers are 2.5 times more likely to die from suicides than from homicides, according to the National Study of Police Suicides, and have a suicide rate that is 50 percent higher than the national average.

Additionally, officers often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and blood pressure caused by stress.

The STOIC Act allows family-services grant program funding to be used to establish suicide prevention programs and support officers suffering from stress and mental health issues. The bill
authorized $7.5 million in funding annually for the program for fiscal years 2020 through 2024.

The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week. A companion bill passed the Senate in May and was introduced in the House by Reps. Madeline Dean (D-PA), and Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA).

Several organizations have endorsed the bill including the National Sheriff’s Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Major County Sheriffs of America.