Relative to Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Grayson

SCR 170 designates May 25–29, 2026 as Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week to promote dialogue, destigmatize help, and share resources for mental health among firefighters.

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 85, Statutes of 2026.

#firefightermentalhealthawarenessweek

Summary of SCR 170 (2025-2026) — California

Purpose and intent

SCR 170 declares a statewide observance recognizing the mental health needs of firefighters and related personnel. It proclaims the week of May 25 to May 29, inclusive, as Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week.

The measure encourages California’s firefighters, both active and retired, to dedicate the week to discussing the job’s emotional and behavioral health impacts, to learn about available resources, and to destigmatize seeking help for mental health challenges.

Key provisions and changes

Proclamation: The Senate and Assembly jointly recognize May 25–29, 2026, as Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week.

Encouragement to act: The resolution urges firefighters and emergency personnel to engage in conversations about the effects of their work, available supports, and strategies to destigmatize mental health struggles.

Communication: The Secretary of the Senate is directed to transmit copies of the resolution to the author for distribution.

Who or what is affected

Target audience: California firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical service personnel, including both active-duty and retired members.

Indirect affect: State agencies, fire departments, and affiliated organizations may reference the week in programming, events, and peer-support initiatives.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: SCR 170 was introduced on April 29, 2026, assigned to the Senate Rules Committee, and subsequently advanced through the legislative process in May 2026.

Recent actions (as of the text): Read and adopted by the Senate (Ayes 36, Noes 0), then ordered to the Assembly; later referred to committee and proceeding through standard concurrent-resolution procedures.

No fiscal impact is specified in the digest; as a ceremonial resolution, it does not enact new spending or regulatory requirements.

Background context

The measure cites concerns about the high stress and trauma associated with firefighting, including long shifts, time away from family, and a culture that may discourage seeking help.

It references data from the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance highlighting suicide, PTSD risk, and the greater likelihood of mental health struggles among firefighters compared to the general population.

The resolution emphasizes peer support and confidential counseling as critical resources.

Practical implications

While the bill itself does not impose new duties or funding, it can catalyze awareness campaigns, peer-support program promotion, and resource dissemination during the designated week.

Local fire departments and state agencies may coordinate events, trainings, or communications to align with Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week.

Overall, SCR 170 is a ceremonial measure aimed at elevating attention to firefighter mental health and encouraging constructive dialogue, support access, and stigma reduction within the firefighting community in California.