SC House approves suicide prevention bill

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A bill requiring middle and high school teachers in South Carolina to get suicide prevention training has cleared the House.

The House approved 97-3 this week a measure requiring two hours of training that would count toward the 120 hours of training that teachers must acquire every five years.

Six states already have passed the law. It is named after Jason Flatt of Tennessee, who killed himself in 1997 at age 16. The Jason Foundation works to spread awareness about teen suicide and to promote teacher training.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death nationwide for those ages 10 to 24.

Foundation specialist Donna Finley has said it’s not about making teachers counselors, but making them aware of the warning signs and where to go for help.