Description
Title: Briefing on public safety mental health audit [Kathie Harrison, Assistant City Auditor; Mariel Dempster, Senior Auditor - Austin City Auditor’s Office].
Summary
In July 2026, the Austin City Auditor’s Office released an audit report examining mental health support for sworn public safety employees in the Austin Fire, Police, and EMS departments. The findings indicated that while the city provides various wellness resources, including peer support teams and counseling, many employees feel hesitant to utilize these services due to concerns over privacy, stigma, and insufficient addressing of root stressors like work schedules and sleep deprivation. The audit revealed inconsistent support across departments, with only firefighters receiving regular mental health screenings. Recommendations include enhancing privacy protocols, improving follow-up procedures after critical incidents, and providing ongoing mental health education to all employees. A new wellness center is also planned to consolidate resources and improve access to mental health services. This legislation emphasizes the importance of