Public schools; mental health awareness training.

Public schools; mental health awareness trainingand instruction; requirements. Requires the health educationprogram required for each public school to include, at such gradelevels as the Board of Education deems appropriate, an age-appropriateprogram of instruction on suicide prevention and awareness, consistentwith curriculum guidelines developed by the Board and approved bythe State Board of Health, that includes instruction on the importanceof safe and healthy choices in relation to mental health wellness,healthy coping strategies, and strategies and resources for seekinghelp when a student is or knows someone who is experiencing thoughtsor ideations of suicide or self-harm. The bill requires the Boardto develop and the State Board of Health to approve curriculum guidelinesfor such program of instruction on suicide prevention and awareness.The bill also requires each teacher and other relevant personnel,as determined by the applicable school board, employed on a full-timebasis to complete mental health awareness training that addressesthe needs of youth populations that are at a high risk of experiencingmental health challenges and disorders. Current law requires suchteachers and personnel to complete mental health awareness trainingbut does not contain any requirements relating to the specific topicssuch training must address.