Kelly Honors First Responders, Highlights Confidential Mental Health Support

CHICAGO— State Representative and Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Mike Kelly, D-Chicago, is ensuring first responders can receive confidential mental health support from their peers while creating new protections for “critical incident stress management” (CISM) communications. This is especially poignant on Patriot Day, remembering and honoring the service members who courageously responded to terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

“Even 25 years later, the attacks on September 11th still feel fresh,” said Kelly. “Today we remember those 3,000 Americans who lost their lives on that day, the first responders who paid the ultimate sacrifice on the scene and from long-lasting health complications, and all lives lost in the aftermath of this tragedy.”

Kelly’s House Bill 4842 expands existing protections under the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act to apply to group or individual counseling and peer advisors. The content of these conversations are confidential and cannot be shared, unless the first responder discloses information that a mandatory reporter must report including threats of violence or fraud, for example.

Additionally, new confidentiality protections are being established for “critical incident stress management” (CISM) communications. Any communication or records obtained by CISM teams or team members cannot be disclosed, following the same mandate reporter exceptions outlined above. 

“Being a first responder means assisting people—usually strangers—in the worst moments of their life, and supporting them in every way you can. We have to dismantle the stigma around mental health assistance, especially for first responders, to make sure the calls we respond to don’t take over our bodies and minds.

“With these new confidentiality protections, I hope organizations and departments will encourage their employees to go to counseling or talk to someone, and that first responders will use whatever avenue of care they need,” said Kelly.

House Bill 4842 will go into effect on January 1, 2027.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please call dial or text 988 or visit www.988lifeline.org.