AB 34: Bullying, Discrimination, Harassment, and Suicide Prevention
AB-2246 Suicide Prevention.
Fast Facts about Assembly Bill No. 2246 (AB 2246) – Suicide Prevention Policies in Schools Author: Assembly Member Patrick O’Donnell, 70th District
- According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24.
- Youth bereaved by suicide, youth with disabilities, mental illness, or substance use disorders, youth experiencing homelessness or in out- of-home settings; and LGBTQ youth are at particularly high risk for suicide.
- In a national survey conducted by The Jason Foundation, the number one person that a student would turn to when trying to help a friend who might be suicidal was a teacher.
- California’s Education Code encouraged schools to adopt suicide prevention policies, but did not require that schools have them. Because of the above findings, this bill requires schools to adopt policies to give school staff the tools necessary for suicide awareness, prevention, intervention and postvention. At minimum, the policies must address procedures relating to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
AB-2246 Youth Suicide Prevention
California Department of Education
A listing of resources to help school districts address the need for youth suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, including a model youth suicide prevention policy for local educational agencies (LEAs).
If you need additional mental health supports they are listed under the resources section