Indiana § 12-21-5-4 - Development and administration of mental health first aid training program; requirements; training; implementation date; report

§ 12-21-5-4. Development and administration of mental health first aid training program; requirements; training; implementation date; report

Sec. 4. (a) To the extent that funds are made available, the division, in consultation with:

(1) the department of education;

(2) the law enforcement training board;

(3) the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers;

(4) Mental Health America-Indiana;

(5) the Indiana emergency medical services commission; and

(6) a private foundation dedicated to the prevention of youth suicide through education and awareness;

shall develop and administer a mental health first aid training program.

(b) The mental health first aid training program developed under subsection (a) must do the following:

(1) Train individuals attending the training program to recognize the risk factors and signs of mental health problems or crises in children and young adults, including signs that a child or young adult may be considering suicide.

(2) Train individuals attending the training program to guide children and young adults who exhibit signs of a mental health problem or crisis to appropriate behavioral health services.

(3) Train individuals attending the training program to not label children who are at risk or show signs of mental health problems in a manner that would stigmatize the child.

(c) The division shall provide training for individuals who will be instructors in the mental health first aid training program.

(d) The division shall make the mental health first aid training program available to licensed teachers, school counselors, emergency medical service providers, law enforcement officers, leaders of community faith organizations, and other persons interested in receiving training under the program.

(e) The division, the department of education, and the Indiana emergency medical services commission may seek federal and state funding and may accept private contributions to administer and provide mental health first aid training programs.

(f) Notwithstanding any other law, the division is not required to implement the mental health first aid training program until after June 30, 2016.

(g) Before October 1, 2015, the division shall report to the interim study committee on public health, behavioral health, and human services established by IC 2-5-1.3-4(14) concerning the status of the development of the mental health first aid training program.

As added by P.L.185-2015, SEC.14.