Iowa lawmakers are looking to require k-12 public education teachers to take a training course on suicide prevention.

Senator Jerry Behn says Senate File 2113 requires a one-hour training session on suicide prevention for teachers when they renew their teaching license. He points out that it’s meant to give teachers a tool to recognize the signs of suicide and depression, but not to diminish what the guidance counselor’s responsibilities are.

“I don’t see it diminishing any of that. I think it’s supposed to help the teachers cooperate. I wouldn’t say that they don’t now, I think they try to now whenever they possibly can. This is just another tool in the tool box to help them spot some of those signs. And then if they want to talk to the guidance counselor, or if they want to talk to whatever the chain of command that’s set up to work on that, this is just designed to provide more awareness and try to get help as early as possible.”

Behn adds that suicide is the third leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14 in Iowa.

The bill is now in the House for consideration.