SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Porfirio is leading a bill to help lower the risks of suicide among first responders who face disproportionate mental health struggles due to challenges they encounter on the job.

“Our first responders are heroes who face unique risks and traumatic experiences while they fight to protect their community,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “Maintaining a task force with members who are knowledgeable about experiences our first responders go through will help us understand how we can curb suicide risks among first responders.”

House Bill 2551 would reinstate the First Responders Task Force to study methods to reduce the risk of suicide among first responders. Additionally, it would add three new members to the force — one appointed by the president of the Senate and two by the speaker of the House — which is made up of representatives from police and fire departments, mental health specialists and several members of the General Assembly.

According to a 2018 report by the Ruderman Family Foundation, first responders are more likely to die from suicide than on duty and account for 1% of suicides across the country. The task force previously found that the most prominent barrier to mental health support for first responders is stigma surrounding those who speak up about mental health issues or access support programs. The previous task force dissolved in 2021.

House Bill 2551 passed the Senate State Government Committee on Tuesday with bipartisan support.

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