It begins with education.

Education First Utah supports candidates for the Utah legislature who are open minded, smart and reasonable in their approach to decision making. Education First Utah does not have a litmus test on any issue for candidates to gain our support. Incumbents with a history of supporting educators and students in their past voting are appreciated.

New Mental Health Program for Utah Schools Is Greatly Needed

November 15th, 2024

The Utah Legislature and State Board of Education are working with the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the University of Utah to develop a new mental health curriculum for public schools across the state. About $600,000 was provided to develop the program and the first materials (for eighth grade students) are expected to be ready for piloting in Spring 2025.


The Brain Health Curriculum will provide free lessons for teachers, parents, guardians, caretakers and medical professionals to use with school-aged children to increase their knowledge about the brain and mental health with the intent to promote awareness, reduce stigma around mental health illnesses, and ultimately improve well-being. Given the results of the 2023 Student Health and Risk Prevention (SHARP) Survey in Utah, there is a demonstrated need.

For example, the survey results revealed that 17.6% of youth seriously considered attempting suicide, while fewer than half (only 43%) of those feeling sad, hopeless, or suicidal are reaching out for support. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need to provide effective mental health resources, treatment and support to help young people build resilience and address mental health challenges. Issues like anxiety, depression and chronic stress can severely impact students' ability to focus, retain information and engage in class—ultimately affecting their academic performance and overall well-being.


Kudos to our legislative and school board leaders for introducing this much needed program. As materials are made available, a high priority should be to expand the program across Utah.

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Education First Utah · PO Box 912 · Centerville · Centerville, UT 84014-0912 · USA

A number of groups and individuals have looked at the drivers of improved educational outcomes and have generally come to consensus on what will move the needle in Utah. The groups and individuals include:

  • Governor Spencer Cox

  • Former Governor Gary Herbert

  • Governor Gary Herbert’s Commission on Educational Excellence

  • The Utah Legislature

  • The Utah State Board of Education

  • The Utah School Superintendents Association

  • The Utah School Boards Association

  • The Utah State Board of Higher Education

  • The Salt Lake Chamber, and numerous other organizations throughout the state

A focus on student achievement.

Education First Utah encourages candidates to support the same drivers that the above groups and individuals have endorsed, including:

  • Fair compensation for educators

  • Professional development opportunities for educators

  • Voluntary early education 

  • Valuing and increasing parent involvement

  • More counseling and mental health support for students

  • Funding equity across all neighborhoods

  • Improved access to higher education

  • Improved retention and graduation rates for higher education

Education First Utah was organized in 2011. There is no connection whatsoever with education-first.com in Seattle. Education First Utah is not advocating any tax increases.