Mark Cochran

Testimony in Support of HB 1635 -- NH House Education Policy and Administration Committee My name is Mark Cochran, and I am writing in strong support of HB 1635 as written. HB 1635 ensures that school personnel receive consistent training to recognize warning signs of suicide and respond appropriately. This training is essential to creating safe school environments and protecting our students' well-being. Any proposed changes that weaken this bill would reduce these protections and place young people at greater risk. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in New Hampshire for youth ages 10 to 24. Suicide is preventable, and early identification and intervention have been proven to save lives. Because students spend much of their time in school, educators and staff are uniquely positioned to recognize warning signs and take action when it matters most. I respectfully urge the committee to reject all proposed changes and support HB 1635 as written. Our children deserve strong, consistent, and effective suicide prevention measures in every school. Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony. Respectfully, Mark Cochran