(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Illinois Senate has passed legislation eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for first responders seeking mental health treatment.
The sponsor is State Sen. Michael Hastings, a Democrat from Frankfort.
"Our first responders put their lives on the line by keeping our communities safe," he said. "By making care easily affordable, we're removing financial barriers and chipping away at the stigma of prioritizing mental health."
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is behind the legislation.
“We ask first responders to be constantly exposed to traumatic and dangerous situations," he said.
“This legislation is a solid step toward helping them.”
Dart notes that police officers have a significantly higher suicide rate than the general population and have a high risk of developing PSTD, depression, and substance use disorder.
The Journal of Police and Criminal psychology reports that suicide rates are 69% higher among police officers than the general population.
Furthermore, studies by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that 30 % of first responders develop behavioral health conditions and 75 % percent of police officers have experienced a traumatic event.
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