Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, yet too often they do not receive the essential mental health support they need by nature of their profession. This can exact a toll, both personally and professionally.
Beverly J. Anderson, clinical director of the Metropolitan Police Employee Assistance program, once said, “No human being, no matter how healthy, well-trained or well-adjusted, is immune to the long-term stress of sudden critical incidents.”
Police Benevolent Association leaders in the Nassau County Police Department and the New York City and State Police have discussed this major issue with me. They shared how the repetitive trauma that police officers endure from responding to violent crimes, domestic violence incidents, car accidents and other life-threatening situations can have a serious impact on their well-being.
It is our responsibility to ensure that we establish effective statewide counseling and resources to help officers process these experiences. That’s why I am sponsoring legislation to establish a formal peer-to-peer mental health support program for police officers in New York state. This legislation is about supporting the men and women who protect us every day, by ensuring that they have the mental health resources they need to serve effectively.
The Nassau County Police Benevolent Association has strongly advocated for this initiative, and I was honored when they asked me to sponsor the legislation.
Since I took office in 2019, I have expressed concern about the uptick in suicides among officers, many of whom retired after long careers on the force. Sadly, suicides continue to rise. I was pleased to see that Tommy Shevlin was elected president of the Nassau County PBA in 2021. It was the right time for an officer with his mental health background to take the lead. As a delegate, he has been instrumental in addressing mental health issues among his fellow officers. Shevlin has encouraged officers to receive the assistance and support they deserve, because a healthy police officer is a more effective one, and an asset to all that he or she is sworn to protect and serve.
The legislation is in memory of Lt. Joseph Banish, a State Trooper who died by suicide. That inspired his brother, Jim Banish, to honor his memory by traveling around the state, and the country, to establish programs that help officers deal with mental health issues. Shevlin and Banish became fast friends, united in a goal to help heal the stress and trauma that officers endure in the course of their work.
This bill directs the Division of Criminal Justice Services to expand a peer-support program in which trained officers counsel fellow officers struggling with trauma, stress, anxiety and grief. By creating a structured, departmentally approved system, we can ensure that officers have a safe, accessible and effective resource to help them navigate the mental health challenges of their profession.
The need for such a program is clear. The emotional toll of policing is well documented, and when trauma goes unaddressed, it can lead to severe consequences, including depression, substance abuse, addictive behavior and even suicide. A recent report on police suicides in Suffolk County highlighted the urgent need for better mental health support within law enforcement. Officers feel more comfortable confiding in a peer who understands their experiences, rather than seeking help from an external mental health professional. My bill is written for this reality, and provides a structured, confidential avenue for officers to receive the support they need from those who truly understand their struggles.
Confidentiality is a critical aspect of this legislation, ensuring that officers feel safe seeking help without fear of professional repercussions. However, the bill also establishes clear boundaries. Confidentiality does not apply in situations involving a court order, criminal activity, threats of self-harm or harm to others, or the abuse of vulnerable individuals. This strikes a fair balance between protecting officers’ privacy and ensuring public safety.
This effort builds on the success of the federal COPS Counseling Act, which passed with bipartisan support in 2021. It is time for New York to follow suit, and provide all of our police officers with effective, accessible and trustworthy peer-to-peer counseling.
I have made this bill a priority, and I’m finding increasing support from other Assembly members and state senators. It’s time to show our law enforcement officers that their mental well-being matters. When our officers are healthy, our communities are safer.
Judy Griffin represents the 21st Assembly District.
