Bill > A03041

This bill mandates that within twelve months of its effective date, teachers and administrators in New York State must undergo training in mental health response, developed with assistance from the Office of Mental Health. This training will cover recognizing signs of mental health crises or illnesses, responding appropriately to situations like suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, and identifying and sharing information about mental health professionals, services, and resources with students and their chosen support systems, provided the student consents. Importantly, this training will not include diagnosing, treating, or counseling individuals, nor will it authorize anyone to provide services requiring a professional license they do not possess. The Office of Mental Health will specifically advise and assist the Commissioner of Education in creating the curriculum for this training.