Title 17. Education

Chapter 1. General School Law

Part III. Public Schools and School Children

Subpart D. Required Courses of Study

17:271.1       Mental health; required instruction

A. The governing authority of each public school shall provide to students in grades kindergarten through twelve age- and grade-appropriate classroom instruction relative to mental health. 

B. The instruction shall include, at minimum, information on the following: 

(1) Preventive mental health measures, including but not limited to proper diet, exercise, risk avoidance, and stress reduction. 

(2) The relationship and the difference between mental health and physical health. 

(3) Brain health, emotional health, identifying trauma and stress, and the impact of trauma and stress on mental health and physical health. 

(4) Resources and services available to assist people with mental health issues. 

(5) The management of stress and anxiety. 

C. The instruction shall be integrated into an existing required course, such as health education or another course deemed appropriate by the governing authority. 

D. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, upon its review and revision of the state content standards for health education, shall increase the emphasis on the mental health component of health education in order to enhance student understanding, attitudes, and behaviors that promote overall health and well-being. 

Added by Acts 2022, No. 650, § 1. Amended by Acts 2023, No. 318, § 1.