Missouri schools would teach mental health and offer online support

The Department of Mental Health's children's office would develop and run an online tool for people seeking mental health support. The tool would provide information to anyone seeking mental health support. The office would develop and launch the tool before July 1, 2027.

Public schools serving grades five through eight would teach mental health awareness, and high schools would provide this instruction regularly. The provisions cover enrolled students in public schools serving grades five through twelve. Lessons would be part of existing health or physical education classes and follow a state program. Students with disabilities could take part as appropriate under federal law. These instructions would apply in the 2027–28 school year and later. Public school students would receive mental health training in grades five through eight before entering grade nine.

School districts would update suicide prevention policies and training to include guidance on suicide risk assessment and the state's online support tool. These provisions concern school district suicide prevention policies and training. Training would explain how and when teachers should use the online tool to help students find mental health information and support. These requirements would apply in the 2027–28 school year and later.