New New York State Law Will Mandate Mental Health Education
The talk of mental health and education regarding it has been increasing more and more, this past month stemming off of the suicides of two prominent figures: designer Kate Spade and chef Anthony Bourdain.
On Sunday, July 1st, New York became one of the first states to mandate mental health education to students in elementary, middle and high school.
Under the new law, health education in New York "must recognize the multiple dimensions of health and include the relationship of physical and mental health," according to the New York State Department of Education.
New York will be updating the state health curriculum to include mental health in its definition and purview.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 24 and the 10th leading cause of death overall in the United States. The suicide rate in the country has also dramatically increased in recent years, up 30% since 1999. (CDC)
The chief executive of the Mental Health Association of New York State, Glenn Liebman, calls the new law groundbreaking. Supporters say that the law could help prevent later substance abuse and suicides by giving students important information about mental well-being.
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