Mississippi House Bill HB139

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/22
• Refer: 1/4/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Public school curriculum; require instruction in mental illness as part of Health Education.

Impact

The bill outlines specific educational objectives, including destigmatizing mental illness, recognizing signs and symptoms, employing positive coping techniques for stress, and utilizing professional resources for mental health concerns. By potentially addressing these areas, the legislation seeks to equip students with knowledge and tools that could improve mental well-being among the youth, thereby fostering a healthier school environment.

Summary

House Bill 139 mandates that public schools in Mississippi include instruction on mental illness and mental health as part of the health education curriculum, starting from the 2022-2023 school year. This initiative is aimed at enhancing student education on mental health issues, ensuring they gain an understanding of mental health problems and an awareness of the associated myths and realities. The bill requires age-appropriate mental health instruction to be integrated into the curriculum across various grade levels.

Contention

Furthermore, HB139 obligates local school districts to provide in-service training on mental illness for licensed school employees. This training ensures that educators are well-equipped to recognize the signs of mental illness in students. The content and materials for this training will be developed in collaboration with the State Department of Mental Health. While these provisions are generally seen as positive advancements in mental health education, there may be concerns regarding the allocation of funding and resources for implementation.

Additional_notes

In conclusion, HB139 aims to promote mental health education in public schools, contributing to a larger societal goal of reducing stigma surrounding mental illness and improving access to mental health resources for students. This comprehensive approach highlights the importance of mental health in educational settings and represents a significant step towards integrating mental health awareness into the overall wellness of students in Mississippi.