Expand Access to Teen Mental Health First Aid
Plain English Summary
This bill appropriates $1,873,863 in state funding to expand Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) training across North Carolina. tMHFA is an evidence-based course that teaches high school students (grades 9-12) how to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in their peers.
Arguments in Favor
Supporters argue that teen mental health crises are widespread in North Carolina, with 10% of high school students attempting suicide and 22% seriously contemplating it. They point to evidence that tMHFA training increases teens' willingness to seek help by 50% and helps connect struggling peers with trusted adults. Expanding this program statewide could provide potentially life-saving support to thousands of additional students.
Arguments Against
Opponents may question whether $1.87 million is the most effective use of limited state resources for mental health, or whether funding should prioritize professional mental health services instead. Some may express concerns about whether peer-based intervention should substitute for licensed counselor involvement, or whether the curriculum adequately prepares teens to handle crises appropriately.
AI-generated analysis based on bill text. Always verify with official sources at ncleg.gov. This is not legal or political advice.
Sponsors
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 106
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 26
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 75
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 104
Cosponsors (28)
Representative · District 5
Representative · District 100
Representative · District 115
Representative · District 48
Representative · District 93
Representative · District 41
Representative · District 23
Representative · District 102
Representative · District 72
Representative · District 40
Representative · District 44
Representative · District 36
Representative · District 56
Representative · District 52
Representative · District 45
Representative · District 92
Representative · District 61
Representative · District 22
Representative · District 6
Representative · District 66
Representative · District 98
Representative · District 88
Representative · District 31
Representative · District 57
Representative · District 33
Representative · District 101
Representative · District 34
Representative · District 107