New York and Virginia Lead the Way

Many parents and mental health therapists continue to advocate for and support initiatives calling on public schools to include a class on the subject of mental health itself. The Huffington Post reports that New York and Virginia are now including mental health education in their curriculums.

The Mental Health Association in New York State developed nine core concepts for its classrooms including identifying appropriate professionals and services and the relationship between mental health, substance abuse and other negative coping behaviors.

The Virginia law requires that the state’s Board of Education collaborate with mental health experts to update education standards. 

Mental Health America reports that in 2017 eleven percent of youth ages 12 to 17 reported experiencing at least one major depressive episode that year. The CDC reports that for people 10 to 24 years old, suicide is a leading cause of death.

Our note: Congratulations to the state legislative bodies in New York and Virginia for realizing the importance of informing young and vulnerable students about mental health services and to hopefully eliminate the “stigma” associated with reaching out. It is our hope that more states will follow suit.

Source: Gary R’nel

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