The California Assembly Education Committee passed SB 428 last week.

The bill would make it mandatory  that a percentage of teachers and staff be trained in an evidence-based, Youth Mental Health First Aid program.

Teachers and school staff are often the first to become aware of a student’s mental health needs, and the training would give them tools to better help young individuals. In 2017,almost 80% of high-schoolers reported depression and 17% had suicidal thoughts or attempts. Addressing the youth mental health crisis is a great step in the right direction in education.