An Act to provide for the inclusion of education regarding mental health in the South Dakota health education standards.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 13-33:

When the South Dakota Board of Education Standards undertakes a revision of the health education standards, in accordance with § 13-3-48, the board shall, after consulting with mental health experts, incorporate the following into the health education standards:

(1) Understanding mental health problems and gaining an awareness of the myths and realities of mental illness;

(2) Understanding the relationship between mental health and an individual's overall health;

(3) Destigmatizing mental illness and improving attitudes toward seeking help for mental health problems;

(4) Tools for maintaining mental health wellness;

(5) Common mental health conditions and evidence-based practices that may be used to overcome mental health challenges;

(6) Recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness;

(7) Employing positive coping techniques to address stress that does not rise to a level requiring professional treatment, but if left unattended, may lead to mental illness; and

(8) Using professional resources available to students to address mental health issues affecting a student or member of a student's family.