Senate Bill S6753

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S6753

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring teachers
colleges to provide a course of instruction in mental health first aid

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF THE BILL :

Directs the commissioner of education to require teachers colleges to
provide a course of instruction in mental health first aid prior to
each student's graduation.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section 1 adds a new subdivision 55 to section 305 of the education
law to read as follows:

55. a. The commissioner shall establish and enforce rules and
regulations requiring every college for teachers or teachers college
within the state to provide a course of instruction in mental health
first aid to each student prior to such student's graduation there
from with a degree in teaching or education.

b. For the purposes of this subdivision, "mental health first aid"
means the recognition of common mental illnesses and chemical
              

dependence disorders, the safe de-escalation of crisis situations, and
the initiation of timely referral of appropriate students to mental
health and chemical dependency resources within the community.

Section 2 contains the effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

It is well-documented that teaching about mental health in schools
reduces stigma and bullying while encourages youth to seek help.
Youth who seek help earlier have better outcomes and improved academic
performance than those who go without help.

* Mental health is one of the top health problems for children and
teens. Over 200,000 New York children and teens, or one in five, have
a mental health diagnosis.

* Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth aged 15 to 19
in New York (www.nyskwic.org).

* More than 50 percent of students labeled with emotional or
behavioral disorders drop out of high school and, of those who do
remain in school, only 42 percent graduate with a high school diploma.

Despite the need for mental health education, New York State's health
curriculum doesn't require the teaching of mental health

Our schools have become pressure mills. High stakes testing and
economic pressures are creating a stressed out generation. As policy
makers debate Common Core, other high stakes testing, and college
affordability, our teachers and students report increased anxiety in
the classroom.

The normal stresses of fear of failure and peer pressure are
exacerbated by competition for prestigious or affordable college slots
and high pressure testing is taking a toll on the mental health of our
youth. Students are packing their schedules with extra classes,
volunteer activities, school clubs and sports to help them compete for
grades and impressive resumes for postsecondary education.

According to researchers at Indiana University, up to 30% of students
experience anxiety that can have significant negative impact on their
ability to perform at an optimal level. (http://www.nasponline.org)

Long term impacts include depression, anxiety attacks, social
withdrawal, and low self-esteem. Students often blame themselves for
not being smart enough. Adaptation mechanisms may include "not even
trying" or avoiding or even refusing to go to school.

As these symptoms develop and are more visible to teachers and school
staff, there is no training in place for these professionals to help
identify a mental health problem or what to do if they suspect there
is one.

By requiring that a course in mental health first aid is taken prior
to graduating from teaching colleges in NYS, future teachers will be
better equipped with identifying and assisting students in need with
the community mental health services available to help. Acquiring
these skills is not trivial. For many students it is a life and death
situation as teen suicide rates and violent behavior by male and
female youth has become more pronounced in daily life.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

No prior legislative history.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT :

None

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
90 days after enactment.