New law mandates mental health education in Virginia schools

ALBEMARLE Co., Va. (WSET) -- High school can be a challenging time for many students and statistics show that it can have an impact on teenagers' health.

The CDC reports that the number of adolescents diagnosed with a mental health disorder, like anxiety and depression, increases with age.

Suicide is also a leading cause of death.

WCAV in Charlottesville reported that a group of Albemarle County students saw how their peers were affected and began pushing to increase mental health education issues in school.

Senator Creigh Deeds, who advocates for mental health reform, found out about the initiative and sponsored a bill to mandate mental health education.

It went into effect on July 1.

"I think it passed because it makes perfect sense," Deeds said.

Sen. Deeds was stabbed in the head and chest multiple times in November 2013 by his son who ended up killing himself.

The bill requires health courses at public elementary, middle, and high schools to incorporate mental health.

The bill also requires the Virginia Department of Education to work with experts to review and update the Standards of Learning for ninth and 10th grades to include mental health.

Deeds told WCAV the he's hopeful that the education can help students and save lives going forward.

The Virginia Department of Education said it is in the process of revising the Standards of Learning to include mental health.