The Wyoming Senate has given initial approval to a bill that would require each teacher and school administrator to undergo eight hours of suicide training every four years. Wyoming has one of the nation’s highest rates of suicide, and Senate Education Chairman Hank Coe says they want school officials to look for possible signs in an effort to prevent suicide.
“It is a serious problem," Coe said. "If we can go out with something like this and recognize a couple of…I mean just one…prevent one and its worthwhile.
Coe hopes districts will also watch for such things as bullying.
Senator Floyd Esquibel of Cheyenne questioned whether eight hours of training is enough. The bill will be debated two more times.