Outline of the state of Massachusetts
State
Massachusetts
Addressed

Category
Health Education K-12 Curriculum—Mental and Emotional Health—HS

Category
Health Education K-12 Curriculum—Mental and Emotional Health—HS

State law addresses mental and emotional health.

Chapter 1 NEW DIMENSIONS OF SCHOOL HEALTH

This is a gigantic manual for all things school health, and includes components on health education in the state "In secondary school, promoting healthy choices in all aspects of life becomes important, including: • good eating habits; • physical exercise; • the importance of adequate rest; • how to balance schoolwork with employment and leisure activities; • stress reduction; • tobacco, drug, and alcohol use; and • healthy relationships and sexuality."

Policy Type
Non-codified

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.1 Maintenance; double sessions; subjects; twelve-month school year

Instruction in health education shall include, but shall not be limited to: consumer health, ecology, community health, body structure and function, safety, nutrition, fitness and body dynamics, dental health, emotional development safe and healthy relationships with a focus on preventing sexual and domestic violence, and training in the administration of first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Policy Type
Statute

Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework

Mental Health:

Mental Health includes information to increase the development of knowledge and skills specific to one’s inner life, as well as social awareness as it relates to attitudes and conduct. Mental Health is a multidimensional area involving all aspects of living, and is manifested in terms of emotional and social well being. Personality, character, heredity and environmental factors, self-esteem, and decision-making influence mental health.

Being able to identify feelings and emotions felt by all people and to explore how human beings are affected physically and psychologically by these feelings are important aspects of instruction in Mental Health. Skills development around the decision-making process, coping, resolving conflicts, and self-actualization can improve mental and emotional well being. Topics generally covered in Mental Health include: Feelings and Emotions, Identity, and Decision Making.

Policy Type
Standard