HB 1221 - DIGEST

Finds that: (1) Youth suicide is an urgent public health problem in the country;

(2) Mental health issues are one of the strongest predictors among adolescents for engaging in self-harm and suicidal behavior; and

(3) Reliance on traditional models of mental health service delivery will not ameliorate the problem of youth suicide, pointing to the need for school-based approaches.

Imposes requirements on the following to improve crisis planning to prevent youth suicide: School district staff including school nurses, counselors, social workers, psychologists, parents, and guardians; educational service districts; public schools; regional and local systems of behavioral health care services and supports; forefront suicide prevention at the University of Washington; the office of the superintendent of public instruction; the mental health promotion and suicide prevention program; mental health referral networks; the state institute for public policy; and the professional educator standards board's training program on youth suicide screening and referral.