Assemblymember Levine Bill to Require Psychologists to Undergo Suicide Prevention Training Passes out of the Assembly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2017

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CONTACT:
Minnie Santillan, (916) 319-2010
Minnie.Santillan@asm.ca.gov

(Sacramento)-AB 89, authored by Assemblymember Marc Levine, (D-Marin County), passed out of the Assembly today 71-1 with bipartisan support. The bill requires applicants for licensure with the California Board of Psychology to complete a minimum of six hours of coursework on suicide prevention.

“Suicide kills twice as many people in California as homicide, but not all mental healthcare providers have the training they need in suicide risk assessment and prevention,” said Assemblymember Levine. “AB 89 will save lives by making sure that psychologists have the training they need to identify suicidal individuals.”

Research shows that one third of those who die by suicide had contact with a mental health professional provider in the year before their death. The amount of training licensed psychologists receive varies widely from as few as six hours, to over 50. Assembly Bill 89 will standardize the minimum number of hours of suicide prevention training required for licensure in the State of California. This training can be completed through coursework, continuing education, or through applied experience.

Assemblymember Marc Levine represents the 10th Assembly District, which includes Marin and Sonoma Counties.

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