Proposed bill would require suicide prevention training in schools

Suicide prevention training is happening in a number of schools in Sheridan County.

But Ann Perkins, who is community prevention manager for Sheridan County Prevention, said that isn’t happening at a lot of schools in Wyoming.

This year, a bill introduced in Wyoming’s Legislature would change that. House Bill 62, which is sponsored by the Joint Education Interim Committee, would mandate suicide prevention education for students in Wyoming’s schools.

The bill states in part that a school district shall provide instruction “in an appropriate manner, which may include age-appropriate evidence-based instruction” on suicide prevention. The bill also requires that instruction be consistent with suicide prevention materials and training.

If the bill is approved by the Legislature, it would become effective on July 1.

In an earlier interview with Sheridan Media, Perkins said there’s a fear that talking about suicide with children will influence them to attempt suicide.

But in fact, she said, that’s a myth. She said children, even in elementary school, already know about suicide, and talking about suicide is an important part of prevention.