SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner passed a measure to improve teachers’ awareness of mental health resources.

“Teachers’ mental health is important too,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have to ensure everyone knows there is help out there.”

House Bill 3000 would require all school districts serving students in grades 6-12 to have the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line, and the Safe2Help Illinois helpline on all employee IDs.

Turner’s measure builds on a 2021 law expanding suicide and crisis helpline awareness in schools by ensuring all employees in school districts have this information on their ID cards. Currently, this information is required to be in student handbooks or planners and on student IDs if schools issue them.

“Illinois has worked to end the stigma surrounding mental health,” said Turner. “This is an important step to increase awareness about the resources we have available. Having this information on staff IDs makes it readily accessible in a time of crisis, for either the teacher or a student they’re assisting.”

House Bill 3000 passed the Senate Education Committee with bipartisan support.