FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 08, 2026
April 08, 2026
Contact:
Brittany Holder
(202) 737-8700
[email protected]
AFGE Hosts First Responder Mental Health Roundtable with Congressman Sorensen, Community Leaders, and Advocates
Categories:
Congress
Leaders call on Congress for urgent action to support First Responders and break the stigma around mental health
Moline, IL — The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), in partnership with Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and The Gray Matters Collective, convened a roundtable last week to address the urgent mental health challenges facing first responders. The event brought together union leaders, mental health advocates, and community experts for a frank discussion on trauma, stigma, and the critical need for change.
The roundtable featured AFGE District 7 National Vice President Jason Anderson, AFGE Local 4070 President Jon Zumkehr, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Haley DeGreve, Founder and President of The Gray Matters Collective. Participants shared personal stories and powerful data, highlighting the staggering rates of trauma, PTSD, and suicide among first responders.
What came out of this week’s roundtable was not just discussion. It was a clear call to action. First responders are being pushed to their limits by systems that demand everything from them and give far too little in return. If we are serious about supporting them, we have to move beyond awareness and toward structural change, which means expanding access to care, protecting their rights, and building a culture where asking for help is met with support, not stigma.
One of the centerpieces of the discussion was a proposed “safe harbor” program. The initiative would allow first responders to self-report mental health struggles without having the added fear of losing their jobs. “The main reason a lot of people don’t come forward is fear of losing their job. Knowing when you recover your job is still there—I firmly believe this would save lives,” said Jon Zumkehr, President of AFGE Local 4070.
Haley DeGreve, who has dedicated her life to suicide prevention, spoke candidly: “On August 28, 2019, I had a plan to end my life. I know now, that is not the solution. The average person may experience one or two critical incidents in their lifetime. First responders—especially correctional officers—face hundreds over a 20-year career. The trauma is relentless, and the stigma of seeking help remains strong. We MUST dismantle this stigma, improve care, and let them know it’s okay not to be okay.”
Michelle Schwarz, widow of corrections officer Blake Schwarz, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the event: “Everyone kind of collaborated and worked together to come up with bills that are going to help officers in the future so they can come home to their families and not feel like they’re alone going through this. Every first responder experiences traumatic events, so they all need help in some way, shape, or form.”
“Suicide rates and mental health incidents in first responders continue to rise, and until there are laws in place which drive better policies around these issues, then you will continue to see those numbers rise” said AFGE District 7 National Vice President Jason Anderson. “I have talked to so many first responders who have said that they would be more inclined to seek the help and treatment they need if they knew there was a program in place that protected their job while healing and recovering.
AFGE calls on lawmakers, agencies, and communities to act now to protect those who protect us. “The time is now for change,” DeGreve urged. “Let our officers know they have help, and that we do CARE.”
Statement from Senator Duckworth (IL):
“Our brave first responders do heroic work every day to keep our communities safe and save lives, we are so grateful for their dedication,” said U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. “This work is incredibly difficult—our first responders are under immense amounts of stress and we must be doing more to support their mental health. I’m grateful to AFGE District 7 for hosting this important conversation, and I will keep doing everything I can at the federal level to bring in more resources to support our first responders.”
Statement from Congressman Sorensen (IL-17)
“Our first responders show up for us on our hardest days—but too often, they’re left to carry that weight alone,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “Hearing directly from them about the mental health challenges they face was powerful and necessary. We need to do more to support the people who protect our communities, and I’m committed to working alongside them to make sure they have the resources, care, and support they deserve.”
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