Bill Text: FL S0618 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: First Responders Mental Health Awareness Day
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-04-01 - Adopted [S0618 Detail]
Download: Florida-2021-S0618-Introduced.html
Florida Senate - 2021 (NP) SR 618 By Senator Perry 8-00924A-21 2021618__ 1 2 Senate Resolution 3 A resolution recognizing May 10, 2021, and each May 10 4 thereafter, as “First Responders Mental Health 5 Awareness Day” in Florida. 6 7 WHEREAS, Florida is home to a large community of first 8 responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, 9 emergency medical service professionals, emergency medical 10 technicians, and paramedics, who work tirelessly on behalf of 11 the people of this state, often without regard to the peril to 12 their own well-being, and 13 WHEREAS, while mental health problems can affect people of 14 all ages and walks of life, first responders are at a higher 15 risk than the general population of suffering mental health 16 issues due to the challenging nature of their duties, and 17 WHEREAS, research frequently describes shame and stigma 18 surrounding mental health care needs within a profession that 19 prioritizes bravery and toughness, and 20 WHEREAS, while this culture is, perhaps, necessary to 21 survive the dangers of the job, it also contributes to the 22 phenomenon of first responders not seeking help to manage 23 chronic stress or trauma injury, or not even recognizing the 24 need before it becomes critical, and 25 WHEREAS, we also must recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic 26 represents one of the biggest challenges in modern times, 27 especially to our first responders, as they face increased 28 workloads as they adapt to policing and emergency response 29 models in a pandemic, compounding the dynamic nature of first 30 responder stress and fatigue at a time when health, wellness, 31 and resiliency are more critical than ever, and 32 WHEREAS, police, firefighters, and emergency medical 33 personnel pay a high price for their prompt response to the 34 needs of others, and 35 WHEREAS, we owe a great debt to our first responders and 36 will continue to work to improve their mental health care, their 37 lives, and the lives of their families, no matter the week or 38 month, and 39 WHEREAS, we salute all of our heroes risking their lives to 40 protect us all, NOW, THEREFORE, 41 42 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 43 44 That May 10, 2021, and each May 10 thereafter, is 45 recognized as “First Responders Mental Health Awareness Day” in 46 Florida.