Griffin Joins Hochul For Signing of Lt. Banish Mental Health Act

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY. — New York State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin joined Gov. Kathy Hochul in New York City Thursday for the signing of the Lt. Joseph Banish Mental Health Act, a bill that will establish formal, peer-to-peer counseling for law enforcement officers in New York State.

“The overwhelming trauma and grief commonly experienced in the aftermath of imminent danger, violence and death associated with emergency response and disaster relief operations is well established,” the bill reads, adding that the inability to process those experiences effectively can allow them to become, “exacerbated and disrupt all areas of life.”

“Sadly, suicide rates for police officers are much higher than other professions. In fact, statistics show law enforcement officers are 54 percent more likely to commit suicide than the general population,” Griffin’s office said Thursday. “This legislation will help end the stigma associated with asking for help, by allowing confidential peer support counseling. We know that mental health support works best when the individual seeking help feels validated and secure. In the police community, fellow officers know the professional stressors best, and have shared experiences. Allowing trained police officers to serve as peer support specialists will encourage more officers to seek help when they need it.”

The bill also establishes limited confidentiality for communications between law enforcement and their trained, designated peer counselors. In instances of "court order or subpoena, information regarding involvement in criminal activity, thoughts of harming self or others, suicide or the abuse or neglect of a child," the bill reads, that confidentiality would not apply.

Griffin thanked Jim Banish, Lt. Joseph Banish’s brother and founder and president of the New York Law Enforcement Assistance Program, for his advocacy in the leadup to the bill’s passage. She also thanked the governor for signing it into law.

“Police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, yet too often they do not receive the essential mental health support they need by nature of their profession. This can exact a toll, both professionally and personally,” Griffin said.