Bill > A4756

Introduced Session

Current law requires that instruction in suicide prevention be included in an appropriate place in the curriculum of elementary school, middle school, and high school students. This bill provides that the instruction in suicide prevention will also include mental health as it relates to suicide prevention, and the instruction will be provided to students in each of the grades kindergarten through 12. The instruction must incorporate evidence-based standards and be adapted to the age and understanding of the students. The bill also specifies the following minimum elements that must be included as part of the instruction: (a) the concept of wellness including self-care and personal responsibility for one's own mental health and wellness; (b) the concept of mental health as an integral part of health; (c) recognition of the warning signs of suicide; (d) awareness of the risk of suicide and self-harm; (e) the relationship between mental health, substance abuse, and other negative coping behaviors; (f) the negative impact of stigma and cultural attitudes toward mental illness; (g) the implications of risk factors, protective factors, and resiliency on mental health and wellness; and (h) identifying appropriate professionals, services, and family supports for suicide prevention.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

BettyLou DeCroce (R)*,  Annette Quijano (D)*,  Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D)*,  Ralph Caputo (D), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 12/06/2018)