Fields & Michaelson Jenet’s Bill to Promote Behavioral Health First Aid Clears Committee
SB24-007 would create a behavioral health first aid training program in the Office of Suicide Prevention
DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted to advance Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s, D-Commerce City, bill to promote adult, teen, youth behavioral and mental health by creating a behavioral health first aid training program.
SB24-007 would create the Behavioral Health First Aid Training program in the Office of Suicide Prevention. The program would train educators, employees of youth-based nonprofits, faith leaders, law enforcement, first responders, and active duty or retired military personnel to recognize and respond to symptoms of mental illness or substance use challenges in both young people and adults and provide tools to help those in crisis.
“This program will help trusted adults know how to identify and help teens in crisis,” Fields said. “This bill is a step towards a Colorado where youth know they can both ask for help and actually receive it from the adults they already know and trust.”
“Behavioral health first aid trainings make sure that more Coloradans have the tools to support themselves and others,” said Michaelson Jenet. “This bill will empower more people to be able to recognize warning signs and know how to help. It’s about making sure Colorado is a place where we help our neighbors.”
Behavioral Health First Aid Trainings would include guidance on how to respond to an individual experiencing mental health challenges, including crisis intervention strategies, warning sign recognition training, and resources to help folks in crisis ask for help.
Nearly 100,000 people have received evidence-based behavioral health first aid trainings in Colorado so far. The new bill will help expand the reach, especially into the more rural areas of the state.
SB24-007 now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.