Teach NJ Students About Mental Illness; Sen. Corrado Pushes Bill

CEDAR GROVE, NJ — A bill that would require New Jersey schools to teach students about mental health took another step towards becoming state law on Monday.

In an effort to bust up the stigma surrounding mental health illnesses, Sen. Kristin Corrado – who represents Cedar Grove and other towns in Bergen, Morris and Passaic counties – is putting her weight behind S-2861, a bipartisan bill that would require New Jersey elementary, middle, and high schools to incorporate mental health instruction as part of their health education curriculum.

“So many students struggle with overwhelming stress and anxiety, yet there is a terrible stigma associated with mental illness,” said Corrado, a Republican who represents the state’s 40th District. “As the saying goes, there is no health without mental health.”

Corrado said that providing children with mental health literacy education will empower them to recognize warning signs in themselves or classmates, so they know when and where to get help.

“This legislation has the power to break the stigma for generations to come,” the senator claimed.

The bill passed the Senate Education Committee on March 4. Read the full text here.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, 50 percent of mental illness conditions begin by age 14.

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Verona-Cedar Grove Facebook page here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com