The new Georgia law requires public schools to place the suicide and crisis lifeline on IDs for middle and high school students statewide.
MACON, Ga. — A new Georgia law aimed at expanding access to mental health resources for students will require public schools to print the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student ID cards for middle and high schoolers statewide.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed the “You Are Not Alone Awareness Act” into law Tuesday after it passed through the Georgia General Assembly earlier this year. The original bill was sponsored by Representative Tangie Herring (D).
The law comes as state leaders and mental health advocates continue raising concerns about youth mental health struggles across Georgia and the country.
“We are looking at a situation — well, not even a situation, a crisis that has been happening for decades,” Herring said.
Herring said the legislation was inspired in part by conversations with her daughter, who told her classmates were struggling with anxiety, depression and stress after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“People have been silenced to talk about how they feel,” Herring said. “We are now getting into a position where people are now feeling more comfortable about talking about anxiety and depression and substance abuse.”
Under the new law, Georgia public schools will be required to place the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student ID badges beginning next school year. The hotline connects callers and texters with trained crisis counselors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Licensed family therapist Bruce Conn said making mental health resources more visible and accessible could be especially important for young people who feel isolated.
“It’s specifically about Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat,” Conn said. “We’re at a time where kids have gotten really disconnected. And so finding ways to get connected to services is really beautiful.”
Most school systems around Central Georgia have already wrapped up the school year, but Herring said families can expect to see the hotline printed on student IDs in the coming months ahead of the next school year.
She hopes the law sends a message to students and families that support is available during moments of crisis.
“You are not alone. There is help, there are services,” Herring said. “That’s just one step to move forward, to give a child or family one more day, to seek help, to find more resources and to save a life.”
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