Fewer Memphis students are showing up to mental health assemblies. This state law may be to blame.

By , Chalkbeat Tennessee Published: October 26, 2025 4:00 AM CT
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Chalkbeat Tennessee

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

MSCS Mental Health Director Donna Goings said attendance at suicide and bullying prevention trainings fell by two-thirds last year. That’s because most students don’t return parent permission slips required by a 2024 state law.

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suicide prevention Tennessee families rights and responsibilities act Chalkbeat Tennessee
In partnership with
Chalkbeat Tennessee

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

Bri Hatch

Bri Hatch

Bri Hatch covers Memphis-Shelby County Schools for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Hatch spent the past two years in Baltimore covering all-things education for WYPR, the city’s local NPR station, as a Report for America Corps Member.


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