River Bend Times

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has reintroduced the Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act, a bill designed to offer mental health support for corrections officers nationwide. The legislation proposes a grant program through the Department of Justice to fund mental health screenings and referrals for officers working in federal, state, and local facilities.

The bill is named in memory of Blake Schwarz, a corrections officer at the Thomson Correctional Center in the Quad Cities who died by suicide two years ago. It aims to prevent similar tragedies by providing necessary mental health resources to officers.

“I’ve met with Blake’s widow, visited the Thomson facilities he worked at, and spoken directly with officers who are carrying the weight of this job without the mental health support they need,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “Two years ago today, Blake’s life was cut short. His story is a painful reminder that we must do better. This bill takes action to get corrections officers the resources they deserve, break the stigma around mental health, and prevent future tragedies.”

Initially introduced as H.R. 9929 in the 118th Congress, this act seeks to provide funding for mental health screenings to identify officers in crisis and ensure they receive proper care. It also mandates hiring mental health liaisons to connect officers with treatment and establishes outreach teams for follow-up care when needed. The competitive grants offered through this bill aim to ensure correctional officers have meaningful access to essential mental health resources.

Corrections officers experience some of the highest rates of PTSD, depression, and suicide among law enforcement professionals; however, their access to mental health services remains limited. This legislation intends to address these issues by ensuring timely access to care.