RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 24-27, 2025, AS “FIRST RESPONDER SUICIDE AWARENESS DAYS”.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Cooke & Sen. Poore & Sen. Pettyjohn

Reps. Bush, Carson, K. Johnson, Morrison, Osienski, Kamela Smith, K. Williams, Yearick; Sens. Hansen, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lawson, Mantzavinos, Sokola, Townsend, Wilson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 70

RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 24-27, 2025, AS “FIRST RESPONDER SUICIDE AWARENESS DAYS”.

WHEREAS, in 2021, First H.E.L.P. (Honor, Educate, Lead, Prevent) established National First Responder Suicide Awareness Days to confront a growing crisis, support grieving families, and bring lasting attention to mental health in the first responder community; and

WHEREAS, the inaugural observance began on September 24, 2021, with National Firefighter Suicide Awareness Day, followed by September 25 as Emergency Medical Services Suicide Awareness Day, September 26 as Law Enforcement Suicide Awareness Day, and

September 27 as 911 Telecommunications Suicide Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, these days are now solemnly set aside each year to raise awareness, promote healing, offer hope, and remember the courageous lives lost not in the line of duty, but to silent battles too often fought alone; and

WHEREAS, the number of suicides among first responders continues to outpace deaths in the line of duty, underscoring the urgent need to acknowledge the emotional toll carried by those who serve and protect our communities; and

WHEREAS, it is our collective responsibility to break the stigma surrounding mental health, to let every first responder know that they are never alone, and to ensure their service is honored not only in life but also in the aftermath of struggle.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring therein, that the 153rd General Assembly hereby recognizes September 24, 2025, as Firefighter Suicide Awareness Day.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 153rd General Assembly recognizes September 25, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services Suicide Awareness Day.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 153rd General Assembly recognizes September 26, 2025, as Law Enforcement Suicide Awareness Day.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 153rd General Assembly recognizes September 27, 2025, as 911 Telecommunications Suicide Awareness Day.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes September 24, 2025, as Firefighter Suicide Awareness Day, September 25, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services Suicide Awareness Day, September 26, 2025, as Law Enforcement Suicide Awareness Day and September 27, 2025, as 911 Telecommunications Suicide Awareness Day, in Delaware.