Rep. Lewis: Mental health help for police passes

Yesterday, the Oregon House of Representatives passed HB 3929 A with unanimous support, a crucial step towards addressing the health and well-being of public safety and emergency services professionals. HB 3929 A modifies current statute to expand confidentiality protections for additional mental health services, including peer support services, in addition to peer support counseling sessions. The bill also enhances confidentiality protections for mental health services and communications. Provisions of the bill will help firefighters, sheriffs, police officers, parole and probation officers, corrections employees, reserve officers, 9-1-1 telecommunicators, and emergency medical dispatchers.

“I spent 40 years in law enforcement and have worked with some of the finest people I’ve ever known. Many of my peers gave all to the profession — suffered through trauma associated with the job and relived events that transformed themselves into nightmares. Many of my colleagues managed to get through a lifelong career and peacefully retire, while others fell by the wayside — not in death, but in lives shattered. Some suffered severe trauma from things they saw that most people never have to see, but only read about in the news. Too many lost their families because they were unable to cope. Officers are expected to just deal with it, and often there is no one to turn to,” said Representative Rick Lewis (R-Silverton), chief sponsor of the bill.

“HB 3929 is a crucial step toward providing healing and desperately needed peer support services for those who keep our communities safe. HB 3929 A provides the confidentiality piece that is critical for public safety and emergency services personnel to deal with trauma and normalize a healthy healing process,” Rep. Lewis added.

First responders experience a higher rate of traumatic events than the general public. One study reports that, compared to non-first responders, of whom about 50 percent experience a traumatic event in their lifetime, 84 percent of first responders report experiencing a traumatic event. According to that same study, law enforcement, firefighters, and dispatchers have a PTSD prevalence between seven and 22 percent compared to only four percent for the general public.

“I want to thank the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, Oregon State Sheriffs Association, Oregon Coalition of Police & Sheriffs, Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, Special Districts Association of Oregon, Oregon’s fire district, and the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council for bringing this bill forward and for their critical support,” concluded Rep. Lewis.

With broad bipartisan and bicameral support, HB 3929 A passed in the House unanimously and now heads to the Oregon Senate for consideration.