ST. PAUL, Minn. – (March 9, 2020) – Two bills have been introduced at the state capital to address youth mental health. One would require suicide prevention training for all classroom teachers, and a second would create the position of Director of Comprehensive Mental Health within the Department of Education. Area legislators and law enforcement are involved.
At a press conference this week, a group of state lawmakers, mental health experts and Blaine’s police chief spoke about the need behind strengthening school based mental health.
“School districts are naming student mental health as a top concern”, said Representive Kelly Moller, (DFL). “And school district support personnel, like social workers, psychologists, nurses and counselors have testified about how they don’t have the means to meet the needs of our students.”
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34, and the overall suicide rate has increased 31 percent since 2001.
“The mental health of our children and youth is worsening,” said Sue Abderholden, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota. “We hear it from parents, teachers, coaches, and we hear it from the youth themselves.”
Blaine police chief Brian Podany has been one of the local leaders discussing the issue and working for change.
“Unfortunately, this isn’t a police problem, this isn’t a school problem, this isn’t a home problem,” said Blaine Police Chief Brian Podany. “This is a societal problem.”
The bills currently have bipartisan support and are starting to go through the committee process.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s phone number is 1-800-273-8255. The lifeline provides free confidential support for people in distress or crisis. It is open 24 hours a day.
