Indianapolis – April 10, 2025. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is estimated to occur at least two to four times more often in the law enforcement community than in the general population. As troubling as these numbers are, they may be even higher due to underreporting. PTSD is an insidious disease that can affect any officer, resulting in substance abuse issues, feelings of despair, and thoughts of suicide. These heroes, who place everything on the line to protect and serve, deserve ready access to the most effective treatments available in their time of need. Instead, they are too often treated as an afterthought. Recognizing this, Sen. Chuck Grassley (IA) has introduced the Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2025 (S. 825), a bill mandating the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to propose a PTSD -and acute stress disorder- treatment program for police officers and other first responders. This bipartisan bill is currently in the Judiciary Committee. The text for the bill is here.
The Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2025 calls on the DOJ to develop an evidence-based treatment program for first responders, comparable to what is currently available to members of the military. In developing this plan, the Attorney General would meet with law enforcement agencies across federal, state, and local jurisdictions, as well as with organizations actively working to provide wellness and supportive care to first responders and their families.
The Attorney General would propose at least one program within 150 days of the bill’s enactment, incorporating features like trauma care, peer support, and counseling services. This proposal would also detail logistics that encompass how to fund the program, secure confidentiality, and effectively deliver the program to officers nationwide.
“Police officers are exposed to unimaginable trauma that can leave them with internal wounds and feelings of hopelessness. It’s a national travesty that more hasn’t been done to ensure these heroes have access to evidence-based mental health support when they need it most,” said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director for the National Police Association. “The Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2025 goes a long way in recognizing that police officers are at greater risk of developing this insidious disease and that they are deserving of reliable, consistent mental health treatment. This bill is past due,” Fitzsimmons added.
The NPA extends its gratitude to Sen. Grassley for introducing the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2025. This bipartisan bill would ensure that the heroes who serve us every day of the year have access to dedicated, reliable mental wellness care. Given the seriousness of the mental health epidemic gripping the law enforcement community, we ask all members of Congress to support Sen. Grassley’s bill and to treat it with the urgency it demands.
About the National Police Association: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization supporting law enforcement through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org
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