Colorado § 22-2-127.9 - Mental health education literacy - resource bank - technical assistance.

§ 22-2-127.9. Mental health education literacy - resource bank - technical assistance.

(1) The department, with assistance from the office of suicide prevention created pursuant to section 25-1.5-101 (1)(w)(I), the Colorado youth advisory council created pursuant to section 2-2-1302, and the suicide prevention commission created pursuant to section 25-1.5-111, shall create and maintain a resource bank of evidence-based, research-based, and promising program materials and curricula pertaining to mental health and comprehensive suicide prevention, as that term is defined in section 25-1.5-112. These materials and curricula may be used in elementary and secondary schools in the state. The resource bank and curricula must be youth-friendly, culturally sensitive, and available in both English and Spanish. In creating the resource bank and curricula, the department may provide internet links to resources and materials pertaining to mental health available from other entities that the department finds reliable. Additionally, the department shall solicit input from persons, including youth, within and outside of the mental health profession, including both community and school mental health professionals. Subject to available appropriations, the department shall solicit requests for information and may contract for:

(a) The organization and enhancement of the resource bank, including materials on the prevention of suicide, the after-effects of suicide attempts and suicide deaths, and postvention training, and education on mental and behavioral health;

(b) The development of mental and behavioral health and suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention curricula for schools and providing such curricula to schools; and

(c) Training for educators and school staff concerning mental and behavioral health and suicide prevention.

(2) On and after July 1, 2020, the department shall make material in the resource bank available without charge to school districts, charter schools, institute charter schools, boards of cooperative services, professional educators, parents or guardians of youth, students, and community providers. At the request of a school district, charter school, institute charter school, or board of cooperative services, the department shall provide technical assistance to the school district, charter school, institute charter school, or board of cooperative services in designing age-appropriate curricula pertaining to mental health.

(3) The materials and resources available to students must be developed and updated with input from youth.

(4) School districts, charter schools, institute charter schools, and boards of cooperative services are encouraged to report to the department on the effectiveness of the resource bank and curricula and to recommend changes to improve the resource bank or curricula. The department is encouraged to update the resource bank and curricula based on recommendations from school districts, charter schools, institute charter schools, boards of cooperative services, professional educators, parents or guardians of youth, students, and community providers.

Source: L. 2019: Entire section added, (HB 19-1120), ch. 197, p. 2149, § 4, effective May 16. L. 2021: (1) amended, (HB 21-1119), ch. 49, p. 206, § 2, effective September 7.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 19-1120, see section 1 of chapter 197, Session Laws of Colorado 2019. For the legislative declaration in HB 21-1119, see section 1 of chapter 49, Session Laws of Colorado 2021.