NYC Council Introduction 996

intro.nyc/0996-2024 2024-2025 Legislative Session
Peer-based mental health literacy trainings for students.
Status: Laid Over in Committee Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction
Sponsored by Althea V. Stevens
Introduced: July 18, 2024

This bill would require the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to offer to public middle and high school students a peer-based mental health literacy training. The training would include instruction on identifying common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, interacting with peers experiencing mental health distress, and locating and accessing mental health resources. Additionally, the bill would require the Commissioner, in coordination with the Chancellor of New York City Public Schools, to submit a report on this training to the Mayor and Speaker of the Council and post this report online. Finally, the Department of Education would have to distribute informational materials concerning the availability of this training to public middle and high schools each academic year for distribution to students.