SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL, Mendota Heights) presented legislation (H.F. 813) in the Education Finance Committee to fund suicide prevention training for Minnesota teachers in every school district, charter school, intermediate school district, service cooperative, and tribal school in Minnesota. Under the bill, a nationally recognized provider of evidence-based training on suicide prevention would offer online training for teachers on suicide prevention and engaging students experiencing mental distress.
“We are facing a serious public health crisis in our communities and schools,” said Rep. Ruth Richardson. “We know suicide is preventable and that this public health crisis requires a community-based response. Given the amount of time our kids spend at school, a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention has to start with teachers.”
Suicide is the leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 17.
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future education finance division report. Sen. Carla Nelson (R, Rochester) has authored companion legislation in the Senate.