Legislature Passes Bill to Help Youth Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis

SACRAMENTO – State Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab (D- Silicon Valley) is proud to announce passage of SB 1318, Child Suicide Prevention, earlier this week which will help to reduce law enforcement interaction with youth experiencing a mental health crisis. If signed by the Governor, the bill will require the California Department of Education to revise their model youth suicide prevention policy to clarify that behavioral health professionals should be utilized to the greatest extent possible when responding to a student mental health crisis.

"We are in the midst of a youth mental health crisis, and SB 1318 ensures students receive on-campus care from qualified behavioral health professionals trained to support them through crises," said Dr. Wahab.

Dr. Wahab thanks education partners—including the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the California Teachers Association, the California School Psychologists Association, the California Federation of Teachers, the California School Counselors Association, and the California County Superintendents—for championing this important bill.

“While there may be instances when it is necessary to involve law enforcement in an ongoing mental health crisis, doing so significantly increases the likelihood of student injury, incarceration, and involuntary commitment, and should therefore be the exception, not the default,” said Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools. “SB 1318 strikes the right balance between maintaining student and staff safety while also ensuring that youth are treated with dignity and compassion when experiencing a crisis on a school campus.”