JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the school year kicks into gear, local districts are working to get staff certified in youth mental health awareness and assistance by next summer’s deadline.
This comes as mental health issues rise as a crisis on many campuses.
The training requirements are part of HB7030, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.
Recent legislation, HB 1421, requires 80% of all school personnel trained by July 1, 2023.
In the Clay County School District, 62% of school staff have completed the training.
By April 30 of 2021, 59% had completed the training.
New hires were offered the opportunity to attend Youth Mental Health First Aid during the summer.
“I feel like it would help a lot more kids learn and make more friends,” one student told Action News Jax.
This comes after the 2020-2021 fiscal year, during which the Clay County School District received around $1,370,428 to establish or expand school-based mental health care services and related training.
A spokesperson for the Clay County School District said if school staff attend and complete training during the summer, on the weekend, or after hours, then they qualify for a stipend once they receive a certificate.
The goal is to help identify and understand the signs of emotional disturbance, mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
The training gives school staff the skills to help a person overcome those challenges, or point them in the right direction for help.
In St. Johns County, a spokesperson for the school district said that 28% of active employees are trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid.
However, 100 percent are trained in Kognito. Kognito serves the immediate need for training until all employees can receive the Youth Mental Health First Aid training.
Local parent Alidia Saffery shared her thoughts about the importance of mental health awareness.
“A lot of times a pediatrician is a good person to talk to about their mental health because they do have questionnaires you can fill out,” Saffery said. “It’s always good to keep them involved in the conversation.”
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