(805) 370-0542
The Governor’s approval of ‘Sarah Shulze’s Law’ marks California as the first state in the nation to require all colleges and universities to provide mental health training to athletic coaches.
In a historic win for student-athlete safety, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1985 by Assemblymembers Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) and Blanco Pacheco (D-Downey), a measure which closes the gap in mental health education for athletic coaches and trainers and ensures these mentors have the skills they need to support their athletes.
“As a former All-American swimmer and national competitor in college, I personally understand just how important coaches can be in the lives of student-athletes,” said Assemblymember Irwin. “These are the trusted adults who support our students through the highs and lows of a season, and they are uniquely positioned to direct students to care when they need it most. AB 1985 is about turning awareness into life-saving action.”
AB 1985 is named in honor of Sarah Shulze, a Division I student-athlete from Oak Park, California who died by suicide while enrolled at the University of Wisconsin. Sarah’s story could have turned out differently had she been provided the help she needed when she needed it most. AB 1985 is a proactive measure to ensure the adults that spend time with student-athletes, like Sarah, are prepared with the skills to act when they are most able to make a difference.
"The formal mental health and suicide prevention training that every college coach will receive because of AB 1985 is critical to protecting our student-athletes," explained Brigitte and Scott Shulze, Sarah's parents. "We thank Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and her team for helping us further Sarah's legacy of being a Power for Good."
Experiences on and off the field provide various opportunities for appropriate mental health interventions where coaches can provide mental health first-aid and hand-off care to parents and mental health professionals.
This bill specifically requires trainings to cover suicide prevention education and may additionally provide education on First-Aid Mental Health if desired by a campus or team. Many free to low-cost trainings are currently accessible online, and this bill explicitly allows these trainings to qualify.
AB 1985 is a part of a larger package of bills supported by professional athletes, education leaders, mental health organizations and public health officials. AB 1626 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D—Encino) and AB 1665 by Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (D—Downey) work together to provide training to coaches in K-12 schools and youth organizations.
“For many young people, mental health intervention can be the difference between life and death," said Assemblymember Gabriel. "Coaches are uniquely positioned and often the first to notice when a student is struggling, but too many are left without the tools to help. With Governor Newsom's signature on AB 1985, alongside AB 1626 and AB 1665, we're making sure coaches have the training and support they need to help students get through a crisis before it becomes a tragedy."
“Coaches are often among the first people to notice when a student-athlete is struggling, and they should have the tools to recognize the warning signs and connect students with support,” said Assemblymember Pacheco. “AB 1985 helps carry that support through college, complementing our work to ensure that coaches at the K–12 level are prepared to respond to students’ mental health needs.”
Together these proactive measures guarantee coaches at every stage of an athlete’s education are able build trust, reduce stigma and guide athletes toward help before problems escalate.