Universities and colleges; require to provide mental health assessments to members of school athletic teams.
Impact
In addition to the focus on student athletes, the bill extends mental health evaluations to the general student population who have an arrest record, aiming to identify and address mental health issues proactively. By requiring partnerships with local or regional behavioral health specialists, the legislation promotes a coordinated approach to mental health care, emphasizing the need for institutions to provide not only assessments but also appropriate counseling and care plans for students in need.
Summary
House Bill 336 mandates that all public universities and colleges in Mississippi conduct annual mental health assessments for members of athletic organizations affiliated with national or regional sports associations. This requirement aims to ensure that the mental well-being of student athletes is prioritized, given the unique pressures they may face within competitive sports environments. The assessments are designed to provide a comprehensive view of each athlete's cognitive functioning and emotional state through various methods, including verbal or written questions and behavioral observations.
Contention
Notable areas of contention within discussions surrounding HB336 could emerge around privacy issues, particularly given the mandated assessments for students with arrest records. Concerns may arise about how the confidentiality of assessment results is maintained and the implications of linking mental health assessments to a student's legal history. Additionally, the effectiveness of the partnerships with behavioral health specialists and the adequacy of resources provided by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health for these assessments may be points of debate among stakeholders in higher education and mental health advocacy.
Establishes student-athlete mental health specialists in school districts and public institutions of higher education; creates student-athlete mental health registry; makes appropriation.
Establishes student-athlete mental health specialists in school districts and public institutions of higher education; creates student-athlete mental health registry; makes appropriation.
Establishes student-athlete mental health specialists in school districts and public institutions of higher education; creates student-athlete mental health registry; makes appropriation.
Establishes student-athlete mental health specialists in school districts and public institutions of higher education; creates student-athlete mental health registry; makes appropriation.