Mental Health Training for Teachers Approved

AUSTIN (AP) � Texas school teachers would receive training to identify mental illness in their classrooms under a measure that has cleared the Texas Legislature. Lawmakers sent the bill to the governor on Sunday. It would add the training to the requirements for a teaching certificate. Republican Senator Robert Deuell of Greenville has said about a million students in the state suffer from illnesses and addictions that contribute to failing grades, misbehavior, crime and sometimes suicide. He proposed the training to help teachers manage their classrooms. Supporters including mental health care advocates and teaching union officials likened the proposal to training teachers to perform CPR. Libertarian groups argued that the proposal could lead teachers to intervene in family matters and could lead to excessive use of medication.