OCPS offering mental, emotional health classes

The Florida Department of Education approved Rule 6A-1.094121, F.A.C., which requires that students in grades six through 12 receive a minimum of five hours of mental and emotional health instruction every year, beginning in the 2019-2020 school year.

To comply with this requirement, Orange County Public Schools has designated five days in which students will receive one hour of instruction from a classroom teacher. The remaining dates are: Feb. 20, 25 and 27. 

The state-mandated curriculum components include:

• Recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health disorders
• Prevention of mental health disorders
• Mental health awareness and assistance
• How to reduce the stigma around mental health disorders
• Awareness of resources, including local school and community resources
• The process for accessing treatment
• Strategies to develop healthy coping techniques
• Strategies to support a peer, friend or family member with a mental health disorder 
• Prevention of suicide 
• Prevention of the abuse of and addiction to alcohol, nicotine and drugs

Students will not be graded on this material.