{"id":4710,"date":"2023-08-02T19:56:32","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T19:56:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/?page_id=4710"},"modified":"2025-02-07T12:07:33","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T12:07:33","slug":"florida-will-require-mental-health-education","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/resources\/florida-will-require-mental-health-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Will Require Mental Health Education for Students in Sixth Grade and Above"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>High school students in the state of Florida will now be required to receive mental health education that will help them seek help or offer support for mental health issues.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The state of Florida voted forward requirements that students in sixth grade and above be given at least five hours of education on mental health each year. In a statement, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.fldoe.org\/newsroom\/latest-news\/commissioner-of-education-announces-enhanced-mental-health-requirements-for-florida-schools.stml?fbclid=IwAR2nXz6c7wBkI8fYqT_Azg-VHv97DKaEfS9rLMMHAcIYEvdhRdCBnBNXR4A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">explained<\/a>&nbsp;that 50% of mental health issues surface by the age of 14, so these programs represent a proactive approach to assisting children and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>These programs will be required and include instruction in:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recognizing mental health issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to find help for mental health issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Information on the available resources<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Communication ideas and tactics to help children relate to friends who may have mental health issues or disorders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Budgeting for the program will come from the Florida Education&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.fldoe.org\/core\/fileparse.php\/18612\/urlt\/1920DistrictMHAssisAllocation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Finance Program<\/a>, that provides regular funding as well as an allocation for mental health work to counties statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The programs will be a part of the governor\u2019s continued efforts to work on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/mental-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mental wellness<\/a>&nbsp;and substance abuse prevention in the state. In 2019, the first lady launched a coalition of organizations called Hope for Healing Florida that offers positive support to people who are struggling with mental health or addiction issues. Their services will include suicide prevention, treatment resources, bullying prevention, safe or refuge services and mental health support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shift in approach represents a more positive mentality surrounding mental health issues. Government-funded programs in schools are one way to extend support and awareness. The two other states who have already taken these measures are Virginia and New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Virginia, mental health education is&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbs19news.com\/content\/news\/New-law-mandates-mental-health-education-in-Virginia-schools-494357251.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mandated<\/a>&nbsp;after advocacy work by Senator Creigh Deeds and Delegate Robert Bell promoted and passed a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?181+lst+APP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bill<\/a>&nbsp;that went into effect on July 1, 2018. In Virginia, standards of learning for grades nine and ten include mental health education. Some districts in the state have counselors in the building whose sole purpose is promoting students\u2019 mental health. Other districts host freshman seminars so that students can begin high school with an awareness of mental health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See More:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/resources\/teen-addiction\/teen-dual-diagnosis\/\">Seven Common Co-occurring Disorders in Teens<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New York\u2019s education system presents mental health information to all students, from elementary age and up. New York was the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/better\/health\/fall-all-new-york-students-will-be-learning-about-mental-ncna911031\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">first state<\/a>&nbsp;to enact these policies. New York\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/assembly.state.ny.us\/leg\/?default_fld=&amp;leg_video=&amp;bn=A03887&amp;term=2015&amp;Summary=Y&amp;Memo=Y&amp;Text=Y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">law<\/a>&nbsp;does not require curriculum but provides for modifications of the subject matter already being taught to include mental health education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resources for Educators, Teens, and Parents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each state that has enacted these laws has extensive resources in their public health departments for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/resources\/teen-addiction\/\">substance abuse prevention<\/a>. Many law enforcement offices provide addiction prevention programs in schools. Family resources are often available through treatment centers and counselors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See More:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/mental-health-challenge\/\">Take a Mental Health Quiz<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Real Talk is a powerful resource for educators and students in Florida. Miss Florida 2019, Michaela McLean, and other contributors provide speaking engagements on school campuses that help open an authentic discussion about substance abuse. You can&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/real-talk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">learn more<\/a>&nbsp;about this resource and how to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/form.jotform.com\/arsbizdev\/BookRealTalk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">book a program for your school online<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>High school students in the state of Florida will now be required to receive mental health education that will help them seek help or offer support for mental health issues. The state of Florida voted forward requirements that students in sixth grade and above be given at least five hours of education on mental health [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":4599,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[70],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4710","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry","category-news"],"acf":{"written_by":307,"enable_medically_and_up":["Yes"],"medically_reviewed_by":285,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. <a href=\"\/research\/\">View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"<i>Last Updated<\/i> - <b>8\/16\/2022<\/b>","page_first_published_date":"20220816","page_last_edit_date":"20220816","highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling <a href=\"tel:8886480738\"><b>888-648-0738<\/b><\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"","source":{"source_label":"View Sources","source_content":"DiGiulio, Sarah. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/better\/health\/fall-all-new-york-students-will-be-learning-about-mental-ncna911031\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">This fall, all New York students will be learning about mental health<\/a>.\u201d NBC, September 23, 2018. Accessed August 14, 2019.\r\n\r\nFlorida Department of Education. \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.fldoe.org\/newsroom\/latest-news\/commissioner-of-education-announces-enhanced-mental-health-requirements-for-florida-schools.stml?fbclid=IwAR2nXz6c7wBkI8fYqT_Azg-VHv97DKaEfS9rLMMHAcIYEvdhRdCBnBNXR4A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Commissioner of Education Announces Enhanced Mental Health Requirements for Florida Schools<\/a>.\u201d July 17, 2019. Accessed August 14, 2019.\r\n\r\nFlorida State Government. \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.fldoe.org\/core\/fileparse.php\/18612\/urlt\/1920DistrictMHAssisAllocation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Florida Education Finance Program 2019-2020<\/a>.\u201d Accessed August 14, 2019.\r\n\r\nNew York State Assembly. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/assembly.state.ny.us\/leg\/?default_fld=&amp;leg_video=&amp;bn=A03887&amp;term=2015&amp;Summary=Y&amp;Memo=Y&amp;Text=Y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bill No A03887B<\/a>.\u201d Effective July 1, 2018.\r\n\r\nPerrot, Laura. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbs19news.com\/content\/news\/New-law-mandates-mental-health-education-in-Virginia-schools-494357251.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New law mandates mental health education in Virginia schools<\/a>.\u201d CBS19, September 26, 2018. Accessed August 14, 2019.\r\n\r\nVirginia\u2019s Legislative Information System. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?181+lst+APP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2018 Session<\/a>.\u201d Accessed August 14, 2019."},"staff_member_heading":"Authorship","staff_member":[{"staff_member_title":"Editor","select_staff_member":307},{"staff_member_title":"Medical Reviewer","select_staff_member":285}],"insurance_label":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/4710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4710"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/4710\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/4599"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/285"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}