The Alaska Senate passed a bill relating to mental health education. The legislative intent of Senate Bill 80 is for the Board of Education and Early Development to develop guidelines for instruction in mental health in consultation with the Department of Health and Social Services, regional tribal health organizations, and representatives of national and state mental health organizations.
Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson (Anchorage) said:
“We’ve heard the data behind suicide in Alaska. We lead the nation and it’s only continuing to grow. In 2019, at 28.7 deaths per 100,000 people, Alaska’s suicide rate doubled the national average. Adding to the heartbreaking statistic, the leading cause of death for 15-24-year-olds is suicide. 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begins at age 14. The vast majority of these students lack mental health treatment. We’ve all gone through our teenage years and many of use have also seen our kids go through this period of their lives. We know it can be very confusing for them. Hormones, peer pressure, home situations and many other factors contribute to our youth’s mental health, good and bad.”
In passing SB 80, state statute would be amended to read that each district in the state public school system will be encouraged to initiate and conduct a program in health education for K-12, which aims to include health and personal safety instruction, alcohol and drug abuse education, CPR, early cancer prevention and detection, dental health, family health including infant care, environmental health, mental health, the identification and prevention of child abuse, child abduction, neglect, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, and appropriate use of health services.
The bill passed on a 13-1 vote and was transmitted to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.