During Suicide Prevention Month, Governor Hochul Announces New Mental Health Training to Support First Responders

New Training Focuses on First Responder Suicide Prevention and the Barriers That Prevent Responders From Seeking Treatment

Training Now Available for Mental Health Professionals Statewide

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the release of a new online training for mental health professionals working with or considering a career helping first responders such as 911 dispatchers, law enforcement, emergency medical technicians and firefighters. Developed by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the First Responder Mental Health and Cultural Awareness Training features content on the challenges these individuals face and barriers to treatment they may encounter, using insights gained from Governor Hochul’s New York State First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment, which included input from more than 6,000 emergency professionals statewide.

“First responders see things in their day-to-day work that people in other lines of work could only imagine — it’s crucial that we provide the best resources and support to ensure others can help them take care of themselves as much as they take care of others,” Governor Hochul said. “The professionals who serve our first responders need to understand the complexities of such work and this training will go a long way to ensure our responders can get the care that they deserve. Our communities are better because of the work they do and we must show up to support them.”

The one-hour awareness-level training is for mental health professionals interested in working with first responders and includes suicide prevention videos specific to first responder professions, along with scenarios and interactive exercises. Modules include understanding the work of first responders, risk and protective factors, barriers to seeking care, recognition and assessment of suicidal ideation, and strategies for intermediate intervention and ongoing care.

The training is focused on suicide prevention and is the second in a series on first responder mental health and cultural awareness. Mental health professionals successfully completing the training can receive continuing education credit.

Complementing this training, the state Office of Mental Health’s CARES UP initiative is offering a series of webinars this month related to suicide prevention. Topics include sessions with first responders who have successfully navigated suicidal ideation and other challenges.

If you or someone you love are in need of support, OMH also hosts the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which connects New Yorkers to trained crisis counselors 24/7 and can help anyone thinking about suicide, struggling with substance use, experiencing a mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. New Yorkers can also call, text or chat 988 if they are worried about someone or believe they may need crisis support.

The state’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is also among the most active in the nation, logging more than 51,000 calls in August alone – second only to California. The 988-Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has been one of Governor Hochul’s capstone mental health initiatives – enough so that she secured more than $60 million to fund the service, including through a robust public awareness campaign that is now entering its third year.