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Bill would combat student suicide rates through increased teacher training

In light of Wyoming’s high suicide rate, the state Legislature’s Joint Education Committee has voted to draft legislation that would implement the Jason Flatt Act in the cowboy state. It would require all school teachers to participate in a two-hour suicide prevention training every year to maintain their licenses.

Wyoming had the highest suicide rate in the country in 2012.  Joint Education Committee co-chairman Senator Hank Coe says it’s an especially tough issue in his district. Six people in Park County have taken their own lives so far this year.

“It’s a big problem in my community, big problem in every community,” Coe said. “And it seemed like an initiative that we could buy into, and if we can save one life out there, it’s worth it.”

The Wyoming Attorney General, the Department of Family Services, and the Wyoming Behavioral Institute have been asked to advise the Legislative Services Office in drafting the bill.

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