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The list below may support implementing the following legislation from 86R and the Texas Education Codes (TEC): 

• Mental Health Promotion and Intervention, Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention, and Suicide Prevention |  Â» H.B. , Sec. 1.21
• Multi-hazard Emergency Operations Plan; Safety and Security Audit |  Â» S.B. , Sec. 10
• Trauma-Informed Care Policy,
• Required Curriculum |  Â» S.B. , Sec. 7
• School Safety Allotment | TEC 42.168 Â» S.B. , Sec. 20
• School Health Advisory Council |  Â» S.B. , Sec. 8
• Staff Development Requirements |  Â» H.B. , Sec. 1.05
• Threat Assessment and Safe and Supportive School Program and Team |  Â» S.B. , Sec.13
• Information on statutory requirements for Educator Preparation Programs | Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) Resources

• Building Skills Related to Managing Emotions, Establishing and Maintaining Positive Relationships, and Responsible Decision-Making
• Early Mental Health Prevention and Intervention
• Grief-Informed and Trauma-Informed Practices
• Positive Youth Development
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
• Safe, Supportive and Positive School Climates
• Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention
• Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention

General information is also provided below on the statutes addressed by the Mental Health and Wellness Recommended Evidence-Based Programs and Research-Based Practices Repository. 

In accordance with statutory requirements established by TEC , the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) coordinates with the ºÚÁÏÍø×îÐÂÈë¿Ú (ºÚÁÏÍø×îÐÂÈë¿Ú) and Education Service Centers (ESCs) to annually review a list of recommended best-practice programs and practices for public schools. In collaboration, these entities have compiled a list of practices and programs to create the Mental Health and Wellness Recommended Evidence-Based Programs and Research-Based Practices Repository. The repository includes important practices and programs for school leaders’ consideration. These resources are intended to support mental and behavioral health along with academic achievement. 

You can visit the new for the Mental Health and Wellness Recommended Evidence-Based Programs and Research-Based Practices Repository. This repository is updated as resources are reviewed and approved.

Mental Health Best Practices and Programs List Competencies - The competencies outlined within this document serve as a foundational guide for selecting best-practices and research-based programs that meet the requirements of , , , and . School systems may use these competencies when evaluating programs or practices not currently on the , ensuring that locally selected approaches are aligned with statutory requirements. By addressing multiple areas of school mental health, these competencies support a comprehensive and integrated implementation strategy. The list of best-practice-based programs and research-based practices is not exhaustive, and approaches for fulfilling the competencies are not limited to the examples provided within this document.

1. What is the intent of the bill?

The bill is intended to help prevent youth suicides. Providing national crisis-line numbers to students is a statewide suicide prevention strategy. The goal is to equip students with awareness, information, and immediate access to help in a crisis by providing the numbers for students to read on their student identification (IDs) issued by the school to students in grades 6-12.

2. Does a school need to provide the crisis numbers if our district uses digital student IDs, such as through an APP?

Yes. The national suicide prevention crisis-line numbers should be included on digital IDs, or other issued student IDs regardless of format, to meet the bill’s suicide prevention intent.

3. Can we use printed stickers with the crisis numbers securely affixed on our student IDs?

Yes.

4. Are we required to issue IDs if our school or district does not issue IDs to students?

No. The bill does not require that schools issue IDs if a school does not issue any IDs to students. However, it would be beneficial to have these crisis-line numbers available to students who do not have IDs.

5. What are the national crisis line numbers?

The current numbers for the 2021-2022 school year are: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) (1-800-273-TALK) (8255) and the Crisis Text Line (Text TX To 741741). If a school has already printed (Text HOME to 741741), that also works.

6. Might the numbers change for subsequent school years?

Yes. ºÚÁÏÍø×îÐÂÈë¿Ú has been informed that the NSPL number may change for the next school year.

Previous Mental Health Plans:

Statewide Plan for Student Mental Health (December 2020)

Previous Mental Health Reports:

Collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services (Year 1)