Commissioner of health authorized to award grants for peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs and programs to train high school students as peer mentors.

This bill authorizes Minnesota's commissioner of health to award grants for peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs and training that prepares high school students to serve as peer mentors. The program targets students in grades 9 through 12 and allows grants to go to school districts, charter schools, alternative schools, and nonprofit organizations. Funded programs must be research-based and supervised by qualified adults, with trained students engaging in supportive conversations, identifying warning signs of mental health crises, and referring peers to trusted adults when needed. The bill also requires training on recognizing suicide risk, active listening skills, and how to connect students with appropriate support resources.