6A-1.094121 Mental and Emotional Health Education- School Districts must annually provide a minimum of five (5) hours of instruction to students in grades 6-12 related to youth mental health awareness and assistance, including suicide prevention and impacts of substance abuse.

Lessons are developed with licensed mental health professionals and district staff certified in health education.  They consist of basic instruction aligned with Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. Resources used to enhance lesson guides include, but are not limited to: Sandy Hook Promise, NAMI, FLDOE, SAMHSA, NIH, YRBS, CDC, etc.

Topics covered during instruction:

1. Recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health disorders;
2. Prevention of mental health disorders;
3. Mental health awareness and assistance;
4. How to reduce the stigma around mental health disorders;
5. Awareness of resources, including local school and community resources;
6. The process for accessing treatment;
7. Strategies to develop healthy coping techniques;
8. Strategies to support a peer, friend, or family member with a mental health disorder;
9. Prevention of suicide; and
10. Prevention of the abuse of and addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and drugs.