Bill > HR0040

This resolution declares May 2025 as Law Enforcement Mental Health Awareness Month in Illinois, addressing the significant mental health challenges faced by law enforcement officers. The resolution highlights that police personnel experience depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at nearly twice the rate of the general population, and are often reluctant to seek help due to fears of being perceived as weak or unfit for duty. It urges the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to maintain the Law Enforcement Officers Suicide Data Collection Program (LEOSDCP) to track suicide rates among law enforcement officers, and calls on the State of Illinois to establish its own similar program to gather statewide suicide statistics. The resolution also supports implementing programs that encourage reporting and treating mental health illnesses among law enforcement officers, recognizing the high-stress nature of their profession and the importance of addressing mental health challenges. The context is further emphasized by statistics showing that in 2018, more police officers in Chicago died by suicide than died in the line of duty, underscoring the critical need for mental health support and awareness in the law enforcement community.

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https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=40&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HR&SessionID=114&GA=104