Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Information

Professional Development

For Certified and Classified Staff

The following summary of the new Kentucky legislation regarding suicide prevention training and awareness for middle school and high school staff and students is provided by the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities:

SB 65 - Suicide Prevention Education for Middle and High School Staff

Signed by Governor April 13, 2010

 http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/10RS/SB65.htm

Amends KRS 158.070 to require all high school and middle school principals, guidance counselors, and teachers to complete a minimum of two hours of self-study review of suicide prevention materials each school year. Also amends KRS 161.011 to permit suicide prevention training for classified employees.

* Note: although SB 65 does not designate a date of completion for the mandatory training, the Ky. Department of Education and the Ky. Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities recommend that staff training be completed prior to dissemination of suicide prevention materials to students.  

HB 51 - Suicide Prevention Information for Middle and High School Students

Signed by Governor March 4, 2010

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/10RS/HB51.htm

Amends KRS 156.095 to require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to post suicide prevention awareness and training information on its Web page by August 1, 2010; require every public middle and high school administrator to disseminate suicide prevention awareness information to all middle and high school students by September 1, 2010, and September 1 of each year thereafter.

To begin your required training/self-study on

Suicide Prevention and Awareness,

please click on the appropriate link: