The First Responders Wellness Act

S 4892, the First Responders Wellness Act, provides federal funding to improve mental health support for law enforcement officers, firefighters, dispatchers, and their families. It creates a $25 million annual grant program (2025-2031) for states or agencies to fund confidential, culturally competent mental health services for first responders, with priority for rural areas and partnerships with universities. Additionally, it establishes a $10 million annual national hotline (2025-2031) operating 24/7 with peer specialists trained on first responder stressors, offering free voice/text support and seamless referrals to the 988 Suicide Lifeline. The bill mandates strict confidentiality for service users and requires the hotline to coordinate with existing crisis lines and develop specialized training for staff.