Virginia ranks 48th in providing access to mental health care for youth, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-24 year olds. Ninety-one percent of Virginians live in an area with a shortage of mental health professionals resulting in 60% of Virginia's youth with major depression not receiving treatment. The Virginia PTA supports HB603.

Vote in favor of: HB1039, HB732, HB686, HB603, HB498, HB497, HB482, HB386, HB253, HB224, HB215, HB134, and HB41. I would recommend including additional language in HB41 that addresses voter registrations in public schools. Being an active voter is part of our civic duty and participation in our democratic process should be taught and encouraged. Voter registration drives should be occurring in all public high schools in the Commonwealth.

Vote YES

This bill provides more specifics to the existing statute for mental health instruction so that the previous requirements are actually implemented. Previous attempts have resulted in uneven implementation around the state, and little to no monitoring or accountability. Students are hurting, and the need is urgent. This will ultimately address the lingering issues of ignorance and stigma surrounding mental health. The end goal is that students begin learning about mental health throughout K-12 education, that we all have mental health, that it is part of everyone's overall health, and when we aren't feeling right the sooner we talk about it with someone, then the sooner we can get help and the better the outcomes. It all starts here.

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma. It is overdue 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES civic engagement encouraged 386- YES 398- YES incredible practice to prevent punishment and foster healthy development 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES Nalaxone critical and life saving

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma 214- YES increase safety and change culture 224- YES to save lives with training 253- YES students' voices are critical and will teach power of speaking up for themselves 386- YES 398- YES restorative justice changes lives and prevents school to prison pipeline. Lynchburg has found restorative practices to be so impactful that a federal grant was just awarded almost 1M to continue 497- YES SAVE LIVES 498 YES save lives 603 YES save lives reduce stigma 686 YES 732 YES save lives