California Set To Pass Suicide Prevention Bill Aimed at LGBT Youth

"AB 2246 will save young LGBT lives."

From: NewNowNext

 California lawmakers have passed a bill they hope will help LGBT students struggling with thoughts of suicide and depression.

The bill, AB 2246, will require all California schools to have comprehensive suicide prevention plans in place for students in grades 7-12.

The measure was passed by the state Assembly Tuesday and will be written into law upon being signed by Governor Jerry Brown.

 The bill was authored by Assembly member Patrick O’Donnell in conjunction with Equality California and the Trevor Project.

“As a classroom teacher, I know from experience that educators often serve as the first line of defense when a student is suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts,” said O’Donnell who is also chairman of the Assembly Education Committee.

Current California law only encourages schools to have anti-suicide plans in place, but does not require them. Under AB 2246, school districts would be expected to provide guidelines for suicide prevention, intervention and follow-up. These plans would be developed with suicide prevention experts, parents, student advocates and school mental health professionals.

The bill would also require the state’s Department of Education to develop a model plan that local school districts could use as a guide for drafting their own.

“In spite of the sobering statistics on youth suicide, California lags behind many other states in requiring school districts to have suicide prevention policies in place,” says Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California.

“With LGBT youth up to four times more likely to attempt suicide compared to their non-LGBT peers,” he concluded, “AB 2246 will save young LGBT lives.”

If signed into law, California will become the first state to require middle and high school policies on suicide prevention for LGBT students and other at-risk populations.