PEACH COUNTY, Ga. — Peach County Commissioners have committed to pay for mental health services for active first responders, starting in 2025.
In Tuesday's meeting, commissioners agreed on a yearly premium that covers post-traumatic stress - PTSD - support services. County leaders tell 13WMAZ it's a much needed step forward to break the mental health stigma in public safety.
An effort to break a generation cycle of brushing off work place stresses is being recognized by the state after Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 451 this May.
Peach County Sheriff Terry Deese said when he started out in the police academy, his cohort was taught to ignore stress and trauma they dealt while on the job.
"You're gonna see things you have trouble dealing with, just go home and drink you a couple beers and that'll take the rough edges off it," Deese said.
He said that was his mentality starting out in this career. The bill mandates government agencies to provide financial support for first responders diagnosed with PTSD.
Deese said after one of his captains took their life in 2009, he stepped up to invest in his department's mental health.
"That's the first time we really required everybody in our agency to go through to talk to counselors and to go through counseling," Deese said.
Peach County leaders are purchasing a $22,000 annual premium; that's about $137 per each active first responder. The coverage grants them a $3,000 cash benefit and PTSD disability support.
The city of Byron also approved an insurance package at Monday's council meeting. Police Chief Wesley Cannon said it's common for first responders to deal with workplace trauma early on in their career.
"I think everybody that's been doing this job three to five years is dealing with some type of PTSD, it's just how you handle it and how you keep yourself mentally healthy."
He said, like Deese, he's happy the state is prioritizing mental health of those in public safety.
"More emphasis is being put on it more and more each year and I think it should," Cannon said.
The new Georgia law will take affect Jan. 1, 2025.