As the article above mentions- interventions to stem the tide of childhood suicides is multi-factoral and will require a variety of interventions. One such promising intervention that’s on the cusp of approval here is Arizona is SB 1468 which would require some suicide prevention training among some Arizona teachers and school staff.
The Bill (which passed the Senate 28-2 and awaits final approval in the House) would requires school districts, charter schools, and Arizona teacher training programs to include suicide awareness and prevention training in their continuing education curricula. The bill would require AHCCCS to make suicide awareness and prevention training available (fortunately some evidence- based tools curricula already exist).
Starting in the 2020 school year, school districts and charter schools would need to provide training in suicide awareness and prevention to school personnel in grades 6 to 12. The bill also establishes requirements for suicide awareness and prevention training and specifically says that the training has to use evidenced-based training materials and instruct participants on how to identify the warning signs of suicidal behavior in adolescents and teens.
Note: Another suicide prevention bill (HB 2488) which requires the ADHS to annually compile a veteran suicide surveillance and prevention report was signed this week (see below in our Legislative Update).
