HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – A Pennsylvania lawmaker wants public schools to have a role in reducing teen suicides by offering mental health checks to students.

Rep. Dan Miller (D-Allegheny) has introduced legislation that would require at least a depression screening for each student by age 14.

His bill would add brain health/mental health screenings to the list of other medical requirements such as vision tests, hearing exams, scoliosis screenings, and immunizations.

“We need to recognize that mental health is arguably even more important than physical health and we need to improve our early diagnosis capabilities to get those who need treatment the help they need to improve their quality of life,” he said in a statement Friday.

Parents would have the right to opt their children out of the screening.Get breaking news, weather and traffic on the go. Download the ABC27 News App and the ABC27 Weather App for your phone and tablet.