Help for those who help us
This week I submitted a bill to the Missouri Senate that I believe will help bring relief to thousands of police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel who experience mental health issues. Senate Bill 281 establishes the presumption that a first responder who suffers symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) likely developed his or her condition on the job.
It’s a reasonable assumption. Witnessing danger, trauma, injury and death nearly every day takes a toll on a person. When someone who showed no signs of mental impairment prior to becoming a first responder later exhibits the effects of PTSD, there’s a good chance their job is to blame. This bill simply acknowledges that fact and sends a message to these courageous men and women that society has their backs.
We often think of PTSD as something soldiers develop following intense combat, and that’s certainly true. Emergency response professionals also encounter traumatic events that affect them profoundly. It’s not just single incidents that lead to PTSD, though. Constant exposure to life-threatening or stressful situations have a cumulative impact that also can trigger emotional and mental health concerns.
Just like war veterans, first responders can experience flashbacks, nightmares and recurring memories that haunt them. Police officers, firefighters, nurses, EMTs, dispatchers, corrections officers and other emergency service providers often report emotional numbness, extreme worry, guilt or feelings of hopelessness. They sometimes lose interest in things they once enjoyed and, generally, feel anxious or jumpy. Many first responders have trouble sleeping, while others may misuse alcohol or drugs.
PTSD is as real as any other workplace injury first responders might experience. We would never question treatment for physical injuries a firefighter or police officer suffered on the job. We should have the same compassion for the emotional and mental health consequences of a very difficult and strenuous job.
As someone who worked in the emergency services field while in college, I appreciate the critical work first responders do. But, my time on an ambulance crew also showed me that those who rush to their fellow citizens’ aid often don’t seek the help they need themselves. The legislation I am proposing should make it easier for first responders to seek and receive mental health services.
Our first responders sacrifice a great deal for us and our families. The least we can do is to recognize the emotional toll that often comes with these jobs, and make it easier for these brave men and women to get the help they need.
It’s my honor to serve as your senator for the 16th District. If you have questions or need any assistance, please call my office at 573-751-5713 or log onto my webpage at https://www.senate.mo.gov/brown for more information.