Senate committee approves suicide prevention program for young people
NJBIZMar 11, 2019
The
The legislation, Senate Bill 3172, sponsored by Sen.
“Reports document the tragedies of the more than 280 young people in
The 2017 New Jersey Youth Suicide Report found that 32 percent of young people who committed suicide were reported to have a mental health problem, but only 25 percent were receiving treatment.
“According to the
Mental illness added Ruiz, creates barriers to academic success and often leads to absenteeism, low achievement and dropping out of school.
“School personnel can be crucial to identifying students with mental illnesses early and providing links to effective services that can help them and prevent suicides,” she said.
The school would use evidence-based standards adapted to the age and understanding of the students and would include the recognition of warning signs; self-care for mental health and wellness; awareness of the risk of suicide and self-harm; the relationship between mental health, substance abuse, and other negative coping behaviors; the stigma of mental illness; and the ability to identify appropriate professionals, services, and family supports for suicide prevention.
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