State launches online training for first responder mental health professionals

ALBANY | Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced the release of 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 Gov. 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," Gov. 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. Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Terence O'Leary said, "First responders are the backbone of public safety, and their jobs come with a heaviness many of us will never experience. I thank Gov. Hochul for prioritizing the well-being of our first responders, as well as Dr. Sullivan and the Office of Mental Health for their partnership in knocking down barriers to treatment and removing the stigma to ask for help." New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "Mitigating stress, building resilience and supporting mental wellbeing is important for all New Yorkers, but especially for first responders. This new training along with other state-funded initiatives are helping our first responders recognize the impact stress and cumulative trauma can take and helping these agencies promote a focus on self-care. This continued focus represents Gov. Hochul's commitment to the mental wellness of our first responders and their families." In February 2025, Gov. Hochul released the findings of the First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment, which found more than half of individuals working in public safety fields experience high levels of stress, burnout and mental health challenges. The assessment also indicated a shortfall of culturally competent mental health professionals available to treat first responders. The training is now available on the DHSES and OMH learning management systems. Mental health professionals completing the training are eligible to receive continuing education credits. In addition to the New York State First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment, DHSES released the Responder Wellness Program Primer, an informational resource intended to help state and local public safety agencies develop or enhance their responder wellness programs; a video that highlights the unique mental health needs of first responders; and a new website dedicated to first responder mental health and wellness. The CARES UP program has helped 53 emergency service agencies increase suicide prevention efforts and wellness programming, impacting more than 33,000 first responders. These agencies work closely with OMH's Suicide Prevention Center of New York to receive training from national subject matter experts on topics such as resiliency, mental health and wellness, suicide prevention and peer support and implement agency-specific actions to address their unique needs. Earlier this month, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the release of the New York State Roadmap for Suicide Prevention to create a comprehensive approach to guide these efforts over the next five years. Issued on World Suicide Prevention Day, the roadmap includes three major initiatives—a statewide strategy with prevention goals and objectives, the Suicide Prevention Task Force Report with recommendations to reduce disparities for groups most at-risk, and an action plan laying out specific steps to advance these efforts. 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 Gov. 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.

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State launches online training for first responder mental health professionals

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