SR38

A Senate Resolution urging boards of education to adopt the recommendations of the Final Report of the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Task Force on Mental Health Services in the Public Schools.

Whereas, Adolescents are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis in the United States; and

Whereas, According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 20 percent of American students between the ages of 13 and 18 live with a mental health condition, and 37 percent of students age 14 and older who live with a mental health condition drop out of high school; and

Whereas, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention estimates that suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 15 through 24 in New Jersey in 2019; and

Whereas, In response to the mental health crisis faced by students, in October 2018 the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) convened the Task Force on Mental Health Services in the Public Schools, which was charged with studying the impact of the effective delivery of mental health services and early intervention strategies on student health and wellness, school climate, and school security; and

Whereas, In September 2019, NJSBA issued “Building a Foundation for Hope,” the Final Report of the NJSBA’s Task Force on Mental Health Services in the Public Schools; and

Whereas, The report lists 71 recommendations that address topics including crisis response policies and protocols, social-emotional learning, school climate, community outreach, curriculum, professional development, equity, and health, wellness, and safety; and

Whereas, Given the urgency of the mental health crisis affecting students in New Jersey, it is altogether fitting and proper to urge boards of education in New Jersey to adopt the recommendations of the Final Report of the NJSBA’s Task Force on Mental Health Services in Public Schools; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House hereby urges boards of education in New Jersey to adopt the recommendations of “Building a Foundation for Hope,” the Final Report of the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Task Force on Mental Health Services in the Public Schools.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to members of the State Board of Education, the Commissioner of Education, and the Executive Director of the New Jersey School Boards Association.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges boards of education in New Jersey to adopt the recommendations of “Building a Foundation for Hope,” the Final Report of the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Task Force on Mental Health Services in the Public Schools.

Adolescents are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis in the United States. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 20 percent of American students between the ages of 13 and 18 live with a mental health condition, and 37 percent of students age 14 and older who live with a mental health condition drop out of high school. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention estimates that suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 15 through 24 in New Jersey in 2019.

In October 2018 the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) convened the Task Force on Mental Health Services in the Public Schools, which was charged with studying the impact of the effective delivery of mental health services and early intervention strategies on student health and wellness, school climate, and school security. In September 2019, NJSBA issued “Building a Foundation for Hope,” the task force’s final report. The report lists 71 recommendations that address topics including crisis response policies and protocols, social-emotional learning, school climate, community outreach, curriculum, professional development, equity, and health, wellness, and safety.