MS HB1390

Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, public schools must include instruction in mental illness and mental health in their health education curriculum, with the Office of Comprehensive School Health Education determining the appropriate elementary grade level for initial instruction.

Mental health instruction objectives must include understanding mental health problems and myths of mental illness, destigmatizing mental illness, recognizing signs and symptoms, employing positive coping techniques for stress, and utilizing professional mental health resources.

The State Department of Education must require all local school districts to conduct in-service training on mental illness for all licensed school employees, with content developed jointly by the State Department of Education and State Department of Mental Health.

Mental illness and mental health instruction must be included in the minimum instructional time already required for health education under state law.

The act takes effect July 1, 2019.