Louisiana Senate Bill SR119

Louisiana 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/19/25
• Refer: 5/20/25
• Report Pass: 5/29/25
• Passed: 6/1/25

Caption

Requests the Louisiana Department of Education to develop and implement a system for collecting and reporting aggregated, non-identifiable data on suicide risk assessments conducted in public schools.

Impact

The implementation of SR119 is expected to lead to a systematic approach in understanding the mental health landscape of students within Louisiana's public schools. By mandating annual reports from school districts on the number of suicide risk assessments conducted, along with demographic information and referrals to mental health services, the bill will allow for a data-driven approach to enhance mental health resources. This data will not only help identify trends and gaps in services but will also facilitate resource allocation to better support at-risk youth.

Summary

Senate Resolution 119, authored by Senator Mizell, aims to address the pressing issue of youth suicide in Louisiana by calling for the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools to establish a comprehensive system for collecting and reporting aggregated, non-identifiable data on suicide risk assessments conducted in public schools across the state. This resolution highlights the alarming statistic that suicide has become the second leading cause of death for teenagers in Louisiana and emphasizes the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions within the educational system.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SR119 appears to be positive, with a consensus on the necessity of taking action to prevent youth suicides and promote mental well-being. Supporters recognize the significance of an evidence-based foundation for future mental health initiatives in schools. However, there may be concerns about the capacity of schools to implement these measures effectively and the need for adequate training and resources to carry out the data collection in a way that respects student privacy.

Contention

While SR119 presents a proactive step towards mental health awareness and suicide prevention, potential contention lies in its execution. Some stakeholders may argue about the logistics of collecting and reporting the required data, particularly regarding ensuring that it remains non-identifiable while still being comprehensive enough to inform policy. Additionally, the involvement of organizations like the Louisiana Mental Health Association and Peer Initiative in developing training and guidelines is crucial for the resolution's success, and there may be differing opinions on the best methods to fulfill these goals.