# Understanding the Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025

This bill creates a new federal program designed to help prison and jail officers get mental health support. The government would provide funding to the federal Bureau of Prisons, states, and local governments to screen corrections officers for serious mental health problems like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, then connect those who need help with mental health professionals in their area.

Here's how it would work in practice: When corrections officers visit their workplace, trained staff would give them a brief mental health screening survey—just five to ten questions asking about their mental health symptoms and any past treatment they've received. The screening would be anonymous and confidential to encourage officers to answer honestly without fear of losing their job or benefits. If an officer's answers suggest they're struggling with a serious mental illness, a special outreach team made up of local mental health professionals and detention center staff would reach out to them and help connect them with a therapist, counselor, or other mental health provider nearby.

The bill sets aside significant funding for this effort, starting with $50 million in 2026 and growing to $70 million by 2030. The money would be divided among the federal Bureau of Prisons, state prison systems, and local jails. An oversight board would be created to make sure the programs are working properly and to share best practices about what approaches actually help corrections officers get the mental health care they need. The bill is named after Blake Schwarz, reflecting concern about suicide and mental health crises among people who work in corrections.