The Youth Silent Epidemic Law took effect halfway through last school year. It requires school boards to incorporate youth suicide awareness and prevention training into their existing in-service training requirements for teachers, coaches and other school personnel.
Attorney General Mike DeWine says suicide is second leading cause of death among people ages 15 and 24.
“Nearly one out of seven had seriously considered suicide -- one out of seven," he said. "More than out of 11 had actually attempted suicide.”
The law, called the Jason Flatt Act, was sponsored by Republican Rep. Marlene Anielski of Independence in suburban Cleveland to honor her son Joseph, who took his life in March of 2010.
Flatt’s father has pushed for laws in 12 states, and says he has no evidence that bullying is a contributing factor in most suicides, but adds that bullying laws should be strengthened along with suicide prevention statutes.
