State of Responder Wellness

There is a significant disparity in mental and physical health issues among responders compared to the general population. Research suggests responders experience higher rates of behavioral health conditions — including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic illnesses such as heart disease and cancer — than their civilian counterparts. Addressing the root causes and expanding wellness initiatives is essential to supporting this community. 

In February 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled the findings from New York’s inaugural First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment. The Assessment, commissioned by DHSES and conducted by SUNY New Paltz’s Institute for Disaster Mental Health and the Benjamin Center, was developed to better understand the mental health-related challenges facing individuals working in public safety fields, and to strengthen programs and services for these professionals.

Survey Findings

More than 6,000 individuals in law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire services, and emergency communications, and emergency management from every region of the State completed a voluntary, anonymous survey, and five follow up focus group discussions were held.

Survey findings included:

Image contains text outlining results of mental health responder survey including percentages of first responders who experience various types of issues.
Stress was experienced by more than two-thirds of first responders (68%), followed by burnout (59%) and anxiety (52%); 53% of first responders reported experiencing symptoms of depression; 38% of first responders reported experiencing symptoms of PTSD; thoughts of suicide were reported by 16% of first responders—four times higher than general NYS population.

First Responder Mental Health

Unique Challenges, Unique Needs

This video highlights some of the unique challenges and unique needs related to first responder mental health.

First Responder Mental Health Video

Responder Wellness Primer An Overview of Responder Wellness

Responder Wellness Primer

This document provides an overview of responder wellness and serves as a primer for agencies interested in creating or enhancing...

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DHSES Peer Support Team
Peer Support

The Peer Support Team was launched in March 2025 to serve as a dedicated resource for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of DHSES employees.

Peer Support Team

Training Opportunities
Learn More About Mental Health
Managing Stress Workshop

This training is designed to help first responders and other public safety personnel better identify, understand, and manage stress. The workshop was developed in collaboration with the Institute of Disaster Mental Health at the State University of New York at New Paltz. The workshop is open to State and local agencies.

Peer Support Team

DHSES is working to expand training at the State Preparedness Training Center to include peer support team training.

First Responder Cultural Competency for Mental Health Clinicians

DHSES in collaboration with the Office of Mental Health is developing an introductory course for mental health clinicians to better understand the unique culture of first responders, stressors and barriers to seeking care, and strategies to effectively engage and encourage first responders to maintain treatment.

DHSES Training
Supporting First Responders
Mental Health Resources

First responders experiencing mental health distress can seek support from a number of existing available resources:

  • The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available for those who may be having thoughts of suicide or any other type of mental health crisis. Individuals can call, text, or chat. The 988 Lifeline is completely free, confidential, and available 24/7/365.
  • CARES UP is an initiative of the NYS Office of Mental Health's Suicide Prevention Center that focuses on improving the mental health and wellness of law enforcement, firefighters, emergency services personnel, and veterans.
  • Disaster Mental Health Response is a collaboration between DHSES and the NYS Office of Mental Health and is comprised of state and local teams of licensed professionals and volunteers. These individuals are trained to provide crisis counseling and other mental health services to individuals and responders impacted by disasters and other critical incidents.

Help for First Responders Links to Mental Health Resources

SUNY New Paltz IDMH

The Institute for Disaster Mental Health (IDMH) is an academic institute that disseminates evidence-based practice to ensure that people experiencing disasters have the mental health access they need and deserve.

SUNY New Paltz IDMH