Bill > HR6601

This bill, known as the CARE for First Responders Act, aims to enhance mental health support for emergency workers by establishing comprehensive mental health services specifically designed for first responders and public safety telecommunicators. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a program that provides 24-hour mental health care, a confidential crisis hotline, and outreach and education programs for first responders and their families. The legislation expands crisis counseling assistance to include emergency response providers responding to major disasters and creates a peer support counseling program where active and retired first responders can volunteer as counselors. Additionally, the bill authorizes competitive grants for mobile crisis response units that can provide on-site mental health services, including screenings, crisis management, and referral services for first responders affected by major disasters. The grants, which can be up to $150,000 and last up to two years, are intended to help eligible entities like health departments and community health centers establish specialized mental health support for emergency workers. The bill also mandates research into best practices for preventing suicide and supporting the mental health of first responders, with a focus on reducing stigma and encouraging treatment-seeking behavior.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6601/all-info