State Representative
One of the top priorities for the General Assembly this session is improving the safety of students at school. We have supported several pieces of legislation to improve physical security in our schools and add mental health resources.
Out of the 37 states surveyed by the Indiana Youth Institute, Indiana had the third-highest teen suicide rate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found that Indiana was ranked 25th in the nation for the rate of suicide deaths. This means more Hoosiers die from suicide than from homicide. With statistics like this, it is clear that mental health in our schools cannot be ignored.
Under Senate Bill 325, Secured School Safety Grants could be used to provide student and parent support with mental health and social emotional support resources. This grant could cover the costs associated with bringing in mental health professionals to provide services to students. These providers could develop plans to get these children into treatment or create strategies to reduce life disruptions that stem from mental health needs. Every student would have access to these important resources with parental consent.
The Secured School Safety Grant Program was established after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary to help Hoosier schools update their security measures, and has helped make Indiana become a national leader in school safety. Schools can apply for these matching grants by developing a comprehensive plan on how funds would be utilized. This grant program was previously focused on reinforcing our schools’ physical security, but allowing schools to use the funds to provide students and parents mental health support services to identified at-risk students can have a positive impact on their lives. If you look at students behind active school shooting events, most struggled with mental health before they reached their breaking point. We must help children struggling and connect them with the appropriate resources. Visit in.gov/dhs for more information about the grant.
To keep young Hoosiers safe, we need to do more than protect them from physical dangers. Connecting them with mental health support services is not only key in lowering suicide rates, but helping those who may pose a threat early on and preventing them from going down a dark path. With parents’ support, we need to take precautions to ensure that students and staff do not fear for their safety at school. Mental health services can help students overcome issues and help them succeed both in and out of school. To find resources for mental health and other issues students may be facing, visit doe.in.gov/student-services.
State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) represents House District 32, which includes all of Tipton County and portions of Hamilton, Madison, Delaware, Howard and Grant counties.