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CHSAA now requires all coaches to take mental health, suicide prevention course

According to the CDC, the suicide rate for Americans between the ages of 15 and 24 has risen 51% over the past decade.

DENVER — Beginning July 1, an online course focusing on mental health and suicide prevention will be required for Colorado high school coaches. 

The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) said it recognizes there's a crisis in this country with issues surrounding mental health of young people. 

"It’s a major step forward for the betterment of all the kids in the schools," said Bert Borgmann, the assistant commissioner. 

Borgmann said it's not about coaches diagnosing students, but teaching them the identifying factors knowing they can be the person many students confide in. 

"They're expecting us to kind of be that counselor, that person," said Brian Tinker, head football coach at Rock Canyon High School. "I would say most of my kids spend more time with me than they do at home with their parents." 

Tinker has the official parts of his job that deals with football and physical education, but he says the unofficial parts can include hearing about students' parents going through a divorce, kids having suicidal thoughts and students with a lack of self-esteem. 

"Kids are afraid to accept who they are," Tinker said. "At the end of the day they just want to know you care." 

The 20-minute online course talks about that, too. 

Anyone can take it if you create an account, and CHSAA said if a school district already has mental health training for coaches, the requirement is waived. 

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