Mental Health Services
Supporting Our First Responders
Utah state law §53-21-103 requires every first responder agency to provide or make available mental health resources to all first responders, their spouses and children, surviving spouses, retirees and retirees’ spouses, and those separated from the agency.
First Responders Mental Health Resources Grant
One-time funding opportunity for first responder mental health resources.
First Responders Agency Liaison
In compliance with UT code, every agency must designate a mental health resources liaison - a non-leadership HR or other administrative employee.
Small First Responders Agencies Critical Incident Services Request
Accepting requests starting July 1st: DPS-provided, critical incident resources for small first responder agencies. Requests for services must be made here.
First Responder Agency Required Mental Health Resources Include:
- Regular periodic screenings for all employees within the first responder agency;
- Assessments and availability to mental health services for:
- Personnel directly involved in a critical incident within 48 hours of the incident; and
- Outpatient mental health treatment provided by a mental health therapist; and
- Peer support resources provided by qualified peer support specialists.
All access and services will be kept confidential.
Contact [email protected] with questions.
What is a First Responder Agency
First responders include:
- Law enforcement officers
- Emergency medical technicians
- Paramedics
- Firefighters
- Dispatchers
- Correctional officers
- Special function officers employed by a local sheriff
- Search and rescue workers under the supervision of a local sheriff
- Wildland firefighters
- Forensic interviewers or victim advocates employed by a children's justice center
- Credentialed criminal justice system victim advocates who respond to incidents with law enforcement officers
- Crime scene investigator technicians
- Individuals employed by a law enforcement agency to collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes and crime-related incidents
- Investigator or prosecutors of cases involving sexual crimes against children
- Civilian employees of a first responder agency who have been authorized to view or otherwise access information concerning crimes, accidents, or other traumatic events.
What are they required to do?
First Responder agencies must annually provide information to all employed first responders regarding:
- The availability of mental health resources for all first responders, including those subsequent to a separation or retirement;
- How to access the mental health resources; and
- Directions on how to appeal a denial of mental health resources to DPS.
- Denial of mental health resources process: If a first responder is denied access to mental health services by their agency, they may appeal the denial by first contacting [email protected] with their information. DPS will investigate denials of mental health resources.