This manual for school health programs, developed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), and the Missouri Association of School Nurses (MASN), recommends that all school staff receive training on recognizing and reporting bullying and identifying students at risk for suicide.

1. Beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, any licensed educator may annually complete up to two hours of training or professional development in youth suicide awareness and prevention as part of the professional development hours required for state board of education certification.

2. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop guidelines suitable for training or professional development in youth suicide awareness and prevention. The department shall develop materials that may be used for such training or professional development.

3. For purposes of this section, the term “licensed educator” shall refer to any teacher with a certificate of license to teach issued by the state board of education or any other educator or administrator required to maintain a professional license issued by the state board of education.

4. The department of elementary and secondary education may promulgate rules and regulations to implement this section.

5. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable, and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2016, shall be invalid and void.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's model policy regarding youth suicide awareness and prevention is intended to provide a template for districts in their development of a suicide prevention policy to comply with state statutes. The policy addresses providing professional development and training regarding mental health awareness and suicide prevention.