New mental health initiatives aim to protect federal law enforcement officers
New mental health initiatives are being proposed to support law enforcement officers across federal agencies. The measures come as studies show officers face higher suicide risks than line-of-duty deaths. Two recent bills and a US Postal Service programme aim to address this growing concern.
In 2025, lawmakers introduced the Homeland Security Department Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act (S. 2645; H.R. 6548). The bill seeks to create a mental health and wellness programme for DHS personnel, focusing on resilience and performance. A separate measure, the Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 2305), was reintroduced by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa. This proposal targets Bureau of Prisons staff, pushing for regular mental health screenings and referrals.
Neither bill has yet reached a vote. Meanwhile, the U.S. Postal Service is launching its own peer support programme for law enforcement officers. The initiative will offer confidential, non-clinical support tailored to their unique pressures.
Participants in the USPS programme will receive training in counselling, suicide risk assessment, and handling alcohol or substance abuse cases. The goal is to build a network of officers equipped to recognise and assist colleagues in crisis.
The efforts reflect a broader push to tackle mental health challenges in high-stress law enforcement roles. Data from The New York Times highlights that officers die by suicide more often than in the line of duty. If passed, the bills and programmes would mark a structured response to an ongoing issue within federal agencies.
