Jacksonville, FL — All Florida school districts had to submit their mental health instruction plans to Tallahassee by Dec. 1.
Action News Jax reached out all nine school districts in Northeast Florida to get a copy of their mental and emotional health instruction plans.
So far, we’ve heard back from four districts.
In Duval County, the school district has designated early release Wednesdays as “Wellness Wednesdays”.
Students from sixth to 12th grade are required to receive instruction on mental health topics.
One teacher, who didn’t want to be identified, said they recently watched a video on bullying followed by class discussion.
In St. Johns County, mental and emotional health education is similar.
Students receive a one-hour group lesson on mental and emotional health topics.
In Nassau County, physical education and English language arts classes are where students get their mental health instruction. Nassau County students from sixth to 12th grade must complete a minimum of five hours each year.
John Peasant said this type of instruction is needed in today’s world.
“I think having a day or so for the kids to kind of decompress on what has happened, or will happen, or probably may happen at any given moment could be a good thing,” he said.
Baker County also got back to Action News Jax, you can find their plan by clicking here.