In Plainview, Gillibrand Pushes For Funding To Support Mental Health Services For Law Enforcement

In Plainview, Gillibrand Pushes For Funding To Support Mental Health Services For Law Enforcement

Sep 2, 2025

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, visited the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association to highlight the $500,000 in congressionally directed spending (CDS) she is working to secure to expand the mental health services for law enforcement provided by the nonprofit New York Law Enforcement Assistance Program (NYLEAP).

"Police officers, firefighters, and EMTs face unique stressors on the job that increase their risk of developing PTSD and other mental health problems," said Senator Gillibrand. "At the First Responders Summit that I hosted in July, I heard firsthand accounts from New York first responders about the importance of mental health resources for their communities. That's why I'm fighting to secure more federal dollars to expand these resources. We owe it to our first responders to give them the support they need, and I'm committed to continuing to expand mental health resources for law enforcement officers in New York and across the country."

Included in the Senate Appropriations Committee's Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) appropriations bill, the funding that Senator Gillibrand secured would provide critical support for the expansion of mental health services to reach more first responders across New York State, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services professionals. The bill was approved by the committee on a bipartisan basis and awaits passage by the full Senate and the House of Representatives.

Senator Gillibrand was joined at the press conference by Tommy Shevlin, President of the Nassau County PBA, and Jim Banish, President of the New York Law Enforcement Assistance Program.

"Police Officers have 3 times more of a chance of dying by suicide than being killed by a criminal. It is time we come together and help take care of our police officers who risk their lives for our communities," said Tommy Shevlin, President of the Nassau County PBA. "We need more peer support and training, and there is no better organization to combat this crisis than NYLEAP. Thank you, Senator Gillibrand, for all your continued support."

"NYLEAP would like to thank Senator Gillibrand for working with us and making these funds available, so together we can provide much-needed mental health assistance for all first responders in New York State," said NYLEAP President Jim Banish. "NYLEAP will provide more peer support training and post-critical incident seminars statewide, directly benefiting New Yorkers."

Senator Gillibrand is a longtime advocate for first responders' mental health. Earlier this year, she reintroduced the bipartisan First Responders Wellness Act, legislation to establish a national mental health hotline for first responders and expand mental health services for first responders during major disasters. In July, she hosted over 100 New York firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement officers at her First Responders Summit for a day of panels, workshops, and advocacy on Capitol Hill.

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