Legislation is being sponsored that requires training for school officials to recognize warning signs of teenage suicide.
State Rep. Regina Bunch, R-Williamsburg, is the bill’s sponsor and a middle school education teacher in Williamsburg.
“Bullying is on the rise and has been compounded by the constant onslaught of social media,” she said in a statement. “This has resulted in many students suffering from mental health issues, sometimes tragically ending in suicide. Teachers, administrators and counselors need to be well-equipped to recognize signs of distress, so that students can receive the treatment they desperately need.”
If approved, starting with the 2018-2019 school year, middle and high school principals, guidance counselors and teachers will be required to complete two hours of in-person suicide prevention awareness training every other year.
The training, which will be included in the already scheduled four days of professional development, will help educators and staff recognize the warning signs of youth in crisis.
If a staff member required to undergo the training is hired during a school year where in-person suicide prevention instruction is not offered, training materials will be provided to the new staffer.
An average of 600 Kentuckians a year die by suicide, Bunch said. Suicide deaths outnumber homicides three to one and are the second-leading cause of death for Kentuckians ages 15 to 34.
Bunch said it is a preventable crisis that needs to be addressed and putting schools on the front lines is essential to saving lives.
The bill would expand current suicide prevention training where school staff is currently only required to read online materials.
Legislation would make suicide recognition training mandatory for Ky. teachers
