Public school curriculum; require instruction in mental illness as part of Health Education.

HB 338 requires Mississippi public schools to include age-appropriate instruction about mental illness and mental health in health education classes starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates that this instruction cover five specific objectives: understanding mental health myths, reducing stigma, recognizing symptoms, using stress-coping techniques, and accessing local mental health resources. It also requires all licensed school employees to complete in-service training on identifying mental illness symptoms, developed with the State Department of Mental Health. The law applies to all public schools and takes effect July 1, 2025.