71-3002.

Legislative findings.

The Legislature finds that:

(1) National statistics show that one in four Americans will face a mental illness in his or her lifetime;

(2) Mental health first aid builds an understanding of how mental illness affects Nebraskans, provides an overview of common treatments, and teaches basic skills for providing assistance to a person who may be developing symptoms or experiencing a crisis;

(3) A mental health first aid program is an education program recognized on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices; and

(4) The Behavioral Health Education Center administered by the University of Nebraska Medical Center has conducted a series of mental health first aid training courses and the experience of providing such courses may be utilized regarding the implementation of a mental health first aid training program as prescribed by the Nebraska Mental Health First Aid Training Act.