NJ S3301

School psychologists and school counselors in New Jersey must complete a mental health first aid training course during their first year of employment, with current employees required to complete it within the first year after the law takes effect.

The training must be repeated at least once every three years as part of professional development requirements established by the State Board of Education.

The Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, must establish or approve a minimum 8-hour training course covering recognition of mental illness signs in children and adolescents.

Training topics must include methods for identifying mental health illnesses and substance use disorders, risk factors and warning signs, crisis and non-crisis intervention strategies, and an overview of conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance use disorders.

The training course must be reviewed and updated at least once every three years to reflect current understanding of mental health issues.