MA H640

Requires annual suicide prevention training for all students in grades 6-12 and all licensed school personnel in Massachusetts public schools

Mandates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with public health, mental health, and developmental services departments, to develop and update approved training materials at least every three years

Training must cover how to identify appropriate mental health services within schools and the community, and when and how to refer youth and families to those services

Requires every public school district to adopt a suicide prevention policy addressing prevention, intervention, and postvention procedures, including regular counseling check-ins for students who have attempted suicide or reported ideation

Directs the department to develop a model policy for districts that includes parental notification procedures and guidance on distinguishing in-school versus out-of-school issues