Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
04/06/2021 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB91 | |
| SB92 | |
| SB80 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 91 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 92 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 80-PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
1:58:26 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 80 "An Act relating to mental
health education."
[CSSB 80(EDC) was before the committee.]
1:58:59 PM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of SB 80, read the sponsor statement:
SB 80 amends the existing health education curriculum
statute to include mental health curriculum in all K-
12 health classrooms to adequately educate students on
vital information pertaining to mental health
symptoms, resources, and treatment.
Currently, the health curriculum guidelines include
prevention and treatment of diseases, learning about
good health practices, including diet, exercise, and
personal hygiene and bad health habits, such as
substance abuse, alcoholism, and patterns of physical
abuse. But the guidelines do not address mental
health.
Following passage of SB 80, the Alaska State Board of
Education and Early Development and the Alaska
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
will develop guidelines for instruction in mental
health in consultation with the Alaska Department of
Health and Social Services (DHSS) and representatives
of national, state, and tribal mental health
organizations. Such organizations include, but are not
limited to, the National Council for Behavioral
Health, Providence Health and Services Alaska,
Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage Community Mental
Health Services, Inc., North Star Behavioral Health
System, and the National Alliance on Mental Health
Illness Alaska. The standards will be developed in
consultation with counselors, educators, students,
administrators, and other mental health organizations
to form effective guidelines for school boards,
teachers, and students.
After standards have been developed, the Alaska State
Board of Education and Early Development and DEED will
be responsible for implementation throughout the
Alaska school system. As with existing health
education curriculum, the DEED, the DHSS, and the
Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault will
provide technical assistance to school districts in
the development of personal safety curricula. An
existing school health education specialist position
will assist in coordinating the program statewide.
The State has a responsibility to treat the current
mental health crisis in Alaska as a serious public
health issue. By creating mental health education
standards and encouraging schools to teach a mental
health curriculum, SB 80 aims to decrease the stigma
surrounding mental illnesses and increase students'
knowledge of mental health, encouraging conversation
around and understanding of the issue.
2:01:22 PM
DELANEY THIELE, Intern, Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska* presented the sectional analysis
for SB 80:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Section 1: This section adds intent language stating
it is the intent of the Legislature that the Board of
Education and Early Development develop guidelines for
instruction in mental health in consultation with
representatives of mental health organizations and
regional tribal health organizations, including the
National Council for Behavioral Health, Providence
Health and Services Alaska, Southcentral Foundation,
Anchorage Community Mental Health Services, Inc.,
North Star Behavioral Health System, and the National
Alliance on Mental Health Illness Alaska.
Section 2: This section amends AS 14.30.360 by
removing the word "physical" when referencing
instruction for health education and adding "mental
health" to the list of curriculum items each district
includes in their health education programs.
Section 3: Amends AS 14.30.360 by clarifying that
health guidelines developed by the Board of Education
and Early Development must provide standards for
instruction in mental health and be developed in
consultation with the Department of Health and Social
Services and representatives of national and state
mental health organizations.
Ms. Thiele added, guidelines for the developmentally appropriate
instruction and mental health shall be developed in consultation
with the Department of Health and Social Services, regional
tribal health organizations and representatives of national and
state mental health organizations.
Section 4: Amends the uncodified law of the State of
Alaska by adding a new section to read "the state
Board of Education and Early Development shall develop
the mental health guidelines required by AS
14.30.360(b), as amended by sec. 3 of this Act, within
two years after the effective date of this Act.
2:03:26 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON showed a short video created last session
in support of House Bill 181, "An Act relating to mental health
education
2:07:35 PM
SENATOR BEGICH commented that staff for the Mental Health and
Suicide Prevention Council and the Mental Health Board made
recommendations that have been incorporated into the CS.
SENATOR REINBOLD surmised many COVID interventions have had a
negative impact on children. The interventions need to be
addressed quickly because they are causing problems for
children. She is glad that this bill is before the committee.
2:09:42 PM
SENATOR HUGHES noted that there are support letters from school
districts and nonprofit healthcare organizations. She asked if
any parents or parent groups sent letters reflecting their
desires.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON replied she can reach out to the Anchorage
School District and superintendent for correspondence from
parents.
SENATOR REINBOLD opined that we are social beings who need
emotional connection. Masks and social distancing keep this from
happening. She requested testifiers weigh in on the impact.
2:11:30 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced invited testimony.
2:12:08 PM
JASON LESARD, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI) Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, Testified by
invitation on SB 80. He stated mental health is health. The
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) advocates for mental
health education in school curricula because incorporating it
has been a struggle. He focused on two data points. First, one
in five US adults experience a mental illness. He encouraged
contemplation of this statistic. In addition to a student's own
mental wellness and selfcare, the bill is about an evidence-
based curricula that discusses and demystifies illnesses that
affect 20 percent of the adult population.
The next data point was 50 percent of all life-time mental
illnesses begin by age 14 and 75 percent by age 24. The onset of
mental illness largely happens in the teenage brain. It is
critical that curricula be changed to promote early
intervention, so students understand mental illness and mental
wellness, have the language to talk about it safely and the
understanding of how and where to find resources for themselves
and others. He stated that this bill addresses mental health
topics in an evidence based, proactive and thoughtful way.
2:15:36 PM
SHIRLEY HOLLOWAY, Ph.D., President, National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI) National Board, Vice President, NAMI Alaska,
Anchorage, Alaska, stated that she has served on the Alaska
State Board of Education and has been a Commissioner for the
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
She learned about NAMI following the suicide of her mentally ill
daughter. NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health
organization and helps families build better lives. Its
signature programs are evidence-based. She stated that
education, early recognition, intervention and prevention are
keys to minimizing mental health issues common in youth.
Increased understanding of psychiatric diseases decreases stigma
and negative peer perception, which increases the likelihood of
youth accepting treatment. Early intervention leads to improved
outcomes for the state. She stated 70 to 80 percent of children
living with mental illness do not receive treatment, which leads
to decreased performance in schools. Twenty-two million
adolescents ages 12-17 have experienced a major depressive
episode; it is estimated 60 percent did not receive treatment.
2:19:24 PM
DR. HOLLOWAY said the dropout rate for children with severe
emotional and mental health issues is twice that of other
students. According to the 2017 Youth Risk Behavioral Health
Survey, one in three Alaskan students reported feeling sad or
hopeless every day for two weeks; 22.8 percent had seriously
considered suicide. This last year, with isolation and
associated pandemic issues, significantly more children were
seen in emergency rooms with mental health issues. She read the
following from the CDC:
Beginning in April 2020, the proportion of children's
mental health related ER visits among all pediatric ER
visits increased and remained elevated through
October. Compared with 2019, the proportion of mental
health related visits for children aged 5-11 and 12-17
years increased approximately 24 percent [and] 31
percent respectively.
DR. HOLLOWAY asserted that strengthening the existing Alaska
public school health curriculum to include mental health
education and awareness will teach students to recognize the
warning signs of mental distress and provide them with the
language and resources to access help. This legislation expands
existing health education requirements to include mental health
in all K-12 health classrooms.
DR. HOLLOWAY said that NAMI committees, strive for parental and
youth involvement. She is hopeful the Department of Education
and Early Development will create a curriculum where parents,
youth and people with lived experiences are represented. In this
challenging time, it is important to act, address mental health
and provide guidance to those impacted. There is no physical
health without mental health.
2:22:02 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD thanked Ms. Holloway for the heartfelt
testimony. She admires those who turn difficult situations into
positive help for others.
2:22:27 PM
CLAIRE RHYNEER, Mental Health Advocacy through Storytelling
(MHATS); and as a West High School Senior, Anchorage, Alaska,
shared that in seventh grade she was depressed and self-harming.
Confused about her behavior, she turned to Google for answers.
In hindsight, she is terrified to realize she was physically
harming herself but uncertain if she needed help. She is aware
of close friends who also experienced suicidal ideation. They
too filled the gap of metal health education with scrappy online
resources. In 2019 twenty percent of Anchorage School District
(ASD) students reported attempting suicide one or more times. HB
80 will teach youth how to recognize symptoms of mental illness
th
and how to proceed. She does not wish her 7 grade experience on
anyone. The best way to achieve this is education. Do not be
satisfied with Google "university." She asked that HB 80 be
passed so students avoid her experience.
2:24:39 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD commented that legislators are listening and
thanked her for speaking up.
2:25:08 PM
GABRIEL LAIPENIEKS, MHATS Alumni, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
by invitation on SB 80. She stated she was a member of MHAT and
graduated from West High School in 2020. In middle school she
struggled with an episode of depression. She feels that had she
received education that destigmatized mental illness she would
not have been as scared and would have gotten help sooner.
Proportionally, Alaska has higher rates of mental illness and
suicide. She feels fortunate to have been taught coping skills
through MHATS and other avenues. These skills assisted her in
successfully completing her first year of college when, as a
result of the pandemic, social interactions were limited. A lot
of students don't have this knowledge, SB 80 can help.
2:27:55 PM
SENATOR BEGICH disclosed a potential conflict; Ms. Laipenieks
received a scholarship he provides through the Nick Begich
Scholarship Intern Fund.
2:28:26 PM
SENATOR HUGHES stated she knows many students struggle and does
not deny that mental health is an important matter. She also
knows there are supersensitive subjects, like sex education,
where parents can choose if their child participates. Mental
health issues can be triggered by supersensitive issues such as
abuse, teen pregnancy or sexual identity. She referenced Bree's
Law as an example. She stated she would like to see an amendment
to the bill allowing parents to review the curriculum and choose
if their child participates.
2:30:43 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON acknowledged it will be considered and
discussed with the Anchorage School District.
2:31:10 PM
CHAIR WILSON opened public testimony on SB 80.
2:31:29 PM
STEWART THOMPSON, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified
with concerns about SB 80. He stated he understands the bill
attempts to improve mental health in Alaska through public
school education. He cautioned against establishing mental
health instructional guidelines based on fads such as: critical
race theory, gender identity, protest resolution guesses, sloppy
diagnoses of ADHD, popularizing psychotropic drugging to
suppress still incomprehensible mental conditions, and mind-
controlled teaching of ethics. He stated an educated person can
reason, an indoctrinated person cannot. He encouraged the
inclusion of diverse professionals, the employment of the checks
and balance theory and openly verifiable assessments to create
effective education guidelines. He added legislators should
periodically hold open public hearings concerning the
promulgated guidelines to confirm continued use. In this way
guidelines can be created and advanced scientifically, rather
than through consensus of fallacious experts and lobbyists.
2:34:44 PM
KATIE BOTZ, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 80. She stated she is a school bus driver who was
diagnosed with a mental illness three years ago. She knows the
hardship children and adults face without adequate mental health
advocacy. COVID-19 isolation made the past year difficult. As a
bus driver, it was painful knowing students did not get needed
socialization. She attests, mental health is a factor of overall
health, as every night depression and suicidal thoughts attack
her ability to sleep. Fighting suicidal thoughts is hard at any
age. She requested legislators make mental health a priority so
people who struggle can be their best and fully participate in
society.
2:39:18 PM
At ease
2:39:02 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting.
2:40:56 PM
ANNIE MASSEY, representing self, Eagle River, Alaska, testified
in opposition to SB 80. She opined that the number one way to
help students' mental health is to keep schools open. She feels
school districts ignored sound data regarding the safety of
attending school. Two, when making decisions about mental health
in schools, remember institutions are there for education.
Students are not learning because multiple subjects are being
brought into the education realm that don't belong. If a person
needs mental health assistance, they should be redirected to
existing mental health agencies. She asked that parent rights be
protected. Parents possess the right to give access to and
treatment for the mental health of their children. If enacted,
there should be an opt-out or election-only option for
curriculum participation. As this crisis is temporary due to
COVID, there should be a stop date. Parents should have the
option to review all materials and privacy must be protected.
2:44:54 PM
STEVEN PEARCE, Director, Citizen Commission on Human Rights,
Seattle, Washington, testified with concerns about SB 80. He
stated the intent to improve mental health education must focus
on improving youth health. From the "National Health Education
Standards," CDC Healthy Schools publication, he read standard
three, "Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid
information, products and services to enhance health. He asked
what information, products and services will training materials
present as valid.
He referenced Dr. Allen Frances, chair of The Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) task force. He
stated that Dr. Frances sees problems with the current diagnoses
and labeling of children, as evidenced in the following quote:
In the past 20 years the diagnoses rates of Attention
Deficient and Hyperactivity Disorder have tripled
while Autistic Disorder and Child Bipolar Disorder
have each increased by a remarkable 40-fold. This is
not because our kids have suddenly become sicker, it's
just diagnoses are applied to them more loosely. It is
a mass public health experiment that has been done
without anyone's informed consent. We have no idea
about the long term affects. Being wrongly told you
have mental health problem at a young age can have a
crippling affect for life.
Mr. Pearce contended that there is a lot of information being
ascribed to mental health, with the supposition that the way to
manage mental illness is through public mental health systems or
psychotropic drugs. Psychiatry is turning behavior into a
disease. Dr. Mary Ann Block, an osteopathic doctor and author,
said:
The majority of her patients who have been prescribed
psychiatric drugs did not have a psychiatric disorder.
Normal life experiences or underlying medical problems
actually lie at the heart of their symptoms.
Mr. Pearce noted that he provided the committee emailed
testimony showing medical and underlying causes for mental
health issues. It also contains alternative ways to handle
mental health, that psychiatry never shares. He stated that
parents should be made aware of these trainings, which can be
done remotely and independently.
The integrity of informed consent should be preserved by
teaching the pros and cons of psychiatric and behavioral
treatments. Students do not often understand the risks of
missing doses, dosage abuse, addiction, withdrawal and multiple
side effects that psychiatric drugs pose. He offered his belief
that it is a gamble to teach kids that behavior be treated with
drugs. It teaches them that behavior is disease and pills solve
problems. Having the bill specify non-drug approaches would
benefit consumers and citizens.
2:48:49 PM
CHAIR WILSON closed public testimony on SB 80.
2:49:07 PM
SENATOR BEGICH stated he wants to clarify the bill does not
impose curriculum. The Board of Education and Early Development
will develop guidelines for instruction in mental health, in
consultation with numerous entities, within two years. It
encourages rather than mandates guidelines be adopted. The bill
adds mental health to the health education program for
curriculum development under existing guidelines. He requested
the recommendations from testifiers provided to the committee be
recorded and passed on to the department for consideration.
Suicide rates have been a tragedy in Alaska for a long time. The
ability to address it comes with understanding and comprehension
of mental health.
CHAIR WILSON asked Senator Gray-Jackson for any closing
comments.
2:50:50 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON said she appreciated the committee hearing
her bill and Senator Begich's comments about exactly what the
bill does.
[CHAIR WILSON held SB 80 in committee.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 80 - CSSB 80 (EDC).pdf |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 version B.PDF |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 Sponsor Statment.pdf |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 Fiscal Note 1 DHSS.pdf |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 Fiscal Note 2 DEED.pdf |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 Written Testimonies.pdf |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 Supporting Documents.pdf |
SFIN 2/8/2022 1:00:00 PM SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 Cotter Letter of Opposition Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| CS for SB 91 workdraft v I.pdf |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 91 |
| SB 91 Summary of Changes- 32 GS1576 I.pdf |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 91 |
| SB91 Detention of Minors- Scenarios (3-31-21).pdf |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 91 |
| SB 80 - Mental Health Ed Hollloway testimony to Senate EDC Committee 3.10.21.pdf |
SHSS 4/6/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |