Section 51900.5 Of Article 3. Department Of Education From California Education Code >> Division 4. >> Title 2. >> Part 28. >> Chapter 5.5. >> Article 3.
51900.5
. (a) During the next revision of the publication "Health
Framework for California Public Schools" (health framework), the
Instructional Quality Commission shall consider developing, and
recommending for adoption by the state board, a distinct category on
mental health instruction to educate pupils about all aspects of
mental health.
(b) As used in this section, "mental health instruction" shall
include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) Reasonably designed and age-appropriate instruction on the
overarching themes and core principles of mental health.
(2) Defining common mental health challenges such as depression,
suicidal thoughts and behaviors, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder,
eating disorders, and anxiety, including post-traumatic stress
disorder.
(3) Elucidating the services and supports that effectively help
individuals manage mental health challenges.
(4) Promoting mental health wellness, which includes positive
development, social connectedness and supportive relationships,
resiliency, problem solving skills, coping skills, self-esteem, and a
positive school and home environment in which pupils feel
comfortable.
(5) Ability to identify warning signs of common mental health
problems in order to promote awareness and early intervention so
pupils know to take action before a situation turns into a crisis.
This should include instruction on both of the following:
(A) How to appropriately seek and find assistance from mental
health professionals and services within the school district and in
the community for themselves or others.
(B) Appropriate evidence-based research and practices that are
proven to help overcome mental health challenges.
(6) The connection and importance of mental health to overall
health and academic success as well as to cooccurring conditions,
such as chronic physical conditions and chemical dependence and
substance abuse.
(7) Awareness and appreciation about the prevalence of mental
health challenges across all populations, races, ethnicities, and
socioeconomic statuses, including the impact of culture on the
experience and treatment of mental health challenges.
(8) Stigma surrounding mental health challenges and what can be
done to overcome stigma, increase awareness, and promote acceptance.
This shall include, to the extent possible, classroom presentations
of narratives by peers and other individuals who have experienced
mental health challenges, and how they coped with their situations,
including how they sought help and acceptance.
(c) In the normal course of recommending curriculum frameworks to
the state board, as required by Section 60204, the Instructional
Quality Commission shall ensure that one or more experts in the
mental health and educational fields provides input in the
development of the mental health instruction in the health framework.
It is the intent of the Legislature that the Instructional Quality
Commission seek experts from culturally, racially, and ethnically
diverse communities, representatives from all mental health
professions, teachers, counselors, parents, those involved in
promoting mental wellness, and those living with a mental health
challenge and their families.
(d) This section does not require or authorize the Instructional
Quality Commission to recommend new health education content
standards.