AK SB197

Board of Education and Early Development shall develop guidelines for mental health instruction in consultation with mental health organizations including the National Council for Behavioral Health, Providence Health and Services Alaska, Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage Community Mental Health Services, Inc., North Star Behavioral Health System, and National Alliance on Mental Illness Alaska.

School districts are encouraged to implement health education programs for kindergarten through grade 12 that include mental health instruction alongside existing requirements for alcohol and drug abuse education, CPR, cancer prevention, dental health, and family health.

State board must establish guidelines that provide standards for mental health instruction developed in consultation with the Department of Health and Social Services and representatives of national and state mental health organizations.

A school health education specialist position shall be established and funded in the Department of Education and Early Development to coordinate the health and personal safety education program statewide.

Adequate funds must be provided for curriculum and resource development, technical assistance to school districts, and teacher training in health and personal safety education.