North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed legislation requiring schools to create plans to address mental health and associated training. | Photo Courtesy of the Office of North Carolina Governor
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed legislation requiring schools to create plans to address mental health and associated training. | Photo Courtesy of the Office of North Carolina Governor
North Carolina Gov. Ray Cooper signed a new law requiring schools to have a mental health plan in place by the 2021-2022 school year that includes youth mental health training for school staff.
The new mandate also includes charter, innovative and laboratory schools, the Spectrum News reported on June 11. Educators in K-12 schools will have to complete six hours of training that includes suicide prevention and substance abuse. Staff in grades six through 12 must have a "suicide risk referral" plan in place.
Knightdale resident Beth Anne Okeeffe told the Spectrum News she is pleased about the state's efforts to address mental health issues in children, especially since she has two daughters who suffer from anxiety.
“Our children are in our schools oftentimes more than they are at home, and it's important for those teachers who are in their lives every day to be able to know that this is the first step, and to give them the support that they need,” Okeeffe told the Spectrum News.
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