We want to congratulate our colleagues at MHA-NYS for spearheading this effort and thank all of you who sent messages to the Governor.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2016
Contact: Glenn Liebman, CEO (cell 518-360-7916) (office 518-434-0439)
John Richter, Director of Public Policy (office 518-434-0439)
Governor Signs Historic Education Bill to Teach Mental Health to Youth
Middle schools and high schools have been teaching about various health topics since the 1970s. The current State Education Law requires schools to provide instruction in topics such as the use and misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and substances and the early detection of cancer. Now, under new legislation signed by Governor Cuomo, mental health instruction will be added to the list of critical health issues that youth will learn about.
The new legislation, sponsored by Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (D-Queens) and Senator Carl Marcellino (R-Nassau), passed with near unanimous support in the State Legislature. “This legislation represents a policy goal that the Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. (MHANYS) has advocated for over the past five years” according to MHANYS’ CEO Glenn Liebman. “We are celebrating the passage of this vital legislation on behalf of young people in New York and their families. By ensuring that young people are educated about mental health, we increase the likelihood that they will be able to recognize signs in themselves and others that indicate when help is needed and how to get help,” Liebman said.
Some 20 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lives, and about half of them will begin experiencing symptoms as early as 14 years of age. Too often, however, these signs are missed and young people go without treatment for years, often suffering academically, abusing alcohol and drugs, getting into legal trouble, and too often, tragically losing their lives to suicide. In the same way that people can be taught to recognize the early signs and symptoms of other illnesses and get the help they need, the same can be taught about mental illness according to proponents of the new law.
John Richter, Director of Public Policy at MHANYS, commented that “we possess the knowledge and tools necessary to increase awareness in young people about mental health, how to recognize when someone’s in distress or crisis and how to get help. Why in the world would we withhold this lifesaving information from our youth?” In fairness, some schools have already taken the initiative to teach about mental health and suicide prevention, but these efforts have not been consistent across the state and many schools are unsure about their role and the appropriateness of teaching this subject matter. The new law will settle any ambiguity along these lines.
Advocates and many experts believe that teaching the facts about mental health and openly discussing the issues with students will lessen the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. Young people and their families would feel more comfortable seeking help, academic performance for all students would be enhanced, and ultimately, lives can be saved.
“This was a true grassroots effort driven by our members, thousands of people in the community and many of our colleague organizations,” according to Liebman.
The new law becomes effective in July 2018. Schools will have until September of the same year when school resumes after the summer break to have curriculums and teachers in place ready to begin teaching about mental health.
Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. (MHANYS) is a not-for-profit organization comprised of 26 affiliates in 52 counties throughout New York State. The mission of MHANYS is to promote mental health and recovery, eliminate discrimination, and raise public awareness with education and support.