There are many high school graduation requirements that students need in order to graduate.  Parents and educators alike work tirelessly to ensure that our students are meeting those requirements to prepare them for adulthood. In 2023 there will be new requirements for students within their required health class. Ohio HB-123 will require the topics; Suicide awareness and prevention, Safety training and violence prevention,  and social inclusion.  But is this really enough to combat the already climbing rate of those being diagnosed with mental health or substance use disorders?  Is it really enough to fully educate our children about mental health and substance use and the stigma surrounding those topics?  Will this one class period be enough to lower the suicide rate in youth ages 10-14? If we are going to have a chance at improving the mental health and substance use crisis we need to start with our youth.  We are preparing our future generations for jobs but not giving them the tools, they need to manage daily life.  If students were required to have an introductory class in mental health and substance use during middle school and a follow up class in high school, they would be better equipped to help end the stigma and make progress where the crisis is concerned.  Education could prompt students to seek help when they need it instead of waiting until adulthood to explore the idea.  Recognizing the signs of mental health and addiction could help students who are at risk for suicide. This could also open up an opportunity to bring interested students into the social work, psychology, and addictions fields by having a career pathway available for high school students.  Let us not just focus on making our youth job ready, let us also educate our youth to be life ready!