Latest news with #JosephBanishMentalHealthAct
New York Post
15-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Nassau PBA-backed bill to curb cop suicides finally passes after after string of deaths on Long Island
After years of mounting tragedies and stalled legislative efforts, New York lawmakers have passed a 'game changing' bill aimed at tackling the growing mental health crisis among law enforcement officers. In a rare show of bipartisan unity, the bill, introduced in 2019 by Long Island Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and championed by Nassau PBA President Tommy Shevlin, unanimously passed both chambers of the state legislature. 3 New York is currently on pace to double last year's number of police suicides. Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto/Shutterstock The Lt. Joseph Banish Mental Health Act — named after a State Trooper who killed himself — aims to combat police suicides by establishing a new statewide counseling program that creates a confidential, peer-to-peer support network of trained officers to help their peers before it's too late. Advertisement 'This is a game changer in our battle to stop this epidemic of police suicides and to allow us to get the help we need,' Shevlin told The Post. 'This legislation will save lives. The quiet epidemic has hit Long Island particularly hard, with more than half of the state's nine confirmed police suicides so far this year happening in Nassau County, according to Shevlin and Blue H.E.L.P., a nonprofit that tracks law enforcement suicides across the US. Shevlin explained that this legislation works similarly to Alcoholics Anonymous — giving struggling officers a peer support system with fellow cops, trained in mental health support, to talk to in confidence without fear of judgment, stigma or career repercussions. Advertisement 3 Long Island Assemblywoman Judy Griffin introduced the bill to combat officer suicides in 2019. nyassembly He said having this support system readily available will help destigmatize the conversation of mental health in law enforcement, improve home life for struggling cops and even improve relations between officers and the communities they serve. 'When we're at work, we're able to put on a mask, and we're able to do our job. But when we go home, that's when the mask comes off and our families are the ones who suffer,' Shevlin said. 'Police officers deserve it, our families deserve it, and the communities we serve deserve to have healthy and happy police officers out there — it's a better product out on the street when their mind is clear and they're not struggling,' he added. Advertisement 3 Nassau PBA President Tommy Shevlin has championed the bill that would make more mental health services available to officers in distress. Nassau. County PBA/Facebook Just last month, the seventh officer of the year died by suicide in New York — an unidentified retired NYPD officer who had gone to Lido Beach, where he watched the sunrise as he took his own life in his car. Since that suicide in May, two more officers have taken their lives throughout the state, bringing the total to nine so far this year, and putting New York on track to nearly double last year's total of 13 police suicides if the current pace continues. Advertisement Although this is a great first step, Shevlin told The Post the battle for greater mental health resources is just beginning. 'I was crying when I watched them pass the bill because I know firsthand that this will save lives,' he said. 'Finally, people are listening and we have to continue that — not just in the police but for all first responders and the community.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police suicide epidemic continues to grip Long Island as cops confirm body found on Nassau beach — believed to be retired NYPD officer
A retired NYPD officer appears to have taken his own life on Lido Beach Monday morning, a source tells The Post — the latest in an alarming number of law enforcement suicides on Long Island. Nassau County police confirmed they discovered a body on the Hempstead beach Monday, but have yet to identify the person or release many details about the incident. Cops admitted they believe the death was a suicide. A source close to the investigation said the male victim was a former New York City cop who came to the beach and fatally shot himself with a handgun during the early morning hours. 'Its a sad situation that we're not really looking to report on,' Nassau police told The Post. If an autopsy confirms the self-inflicted killing, it would mark the seventh police officer to commit suicide in New York state this year. At its current pace, the state is on track to see more than 20 police suicides by the end of 2025 — far surpassing 2024's total of 13. 'The numbers are alarming, which is why our mental health should be a priority,' Nassau County PBA President Tommy Shevlin told The Post. Just last month, Shevlin blew the whistle on police suicides across the state, with more than half now coming out of Long Island. 'We are in the midst of a quiet crisis,' Suffolk County PBA President Lou Civello previously said. In Suffolk, four officers took their own lives last year. Allfour of the Long Island police suicides this year have occurred in Nassau. 'The suicide rate among law enforcement is 60% higher than the average population,' Gov. Kathy Hochul acknowledged on X last year, in allocating $13 million toward mental health support for cops across the state. But the police union presidents believe more is needed, urging Albany to pass the Lt. Joseph Banish Mental Health Act that would create a mental health support program for officers. 'This legislation is not just necessary — it's long overdue,' Civello said.
