Mussman Backs Mental Health Training for Law Enforcement

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing her advocacy for both mental health care and public safety, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, recently supported legislation to incorporate mental health and wellness curriculum into police training.

“Police officers are put under a tremendous amount of stress while working to keep our families safe, and as a result we’ve seen an increased number of suicides and mental health issues in officers across the state,” Mussman said. “This legislation will implement training courses to help protect their mental health and provide the resources they need to be well.”

The Mussman-backed House Bill 2767 would address the mental health needs of police officers by requiring the Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board to develop and implement officer wellness and suicide prevention courses. Courses will help provide skills for managing stress and recognizing issues that could lead to officer suicide, in addition to providing peer support resources.

“In addition to giving officers the training and tools they need to do their jobs, we must also provide officers with resources to protect their mental and emotional wellbeing,” Mussman said. “By providing peer support and methods of stress management, we can help ensure that each officer has the resources necessary for protecting their mental health and overall wellbeing.”