Story highlights New York's law updates the health curriculum in elementary, middle and high schools

Virginia's law mandates that mental health education be incorporated for ninth- and 10th-graders

(CNN) On Sunday, New York and Virginia became the first two states to enact laws requiring mental health education in schools.

New York's law updates the health curriculum in elementary, middle and high schools to include material on mental health. Virginia's law mandates that mental health education be incorporated into physical education and health curricula for ninth- and 10th-graders.

The New York law says that mental health "is an integral part of our overall health and should be an integral part of health education in New York schools."

Both laws come into effect amid an increased focus on mental health and suicide. In June, two prominent figures -- Kate Spade, a fashion designer, and Anthony Bourdain, a chef and CNN host -- died by suicide within the same week.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 24 and the 10th leading cause of death overall in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The suicide rate in the country has also dramatically increased in recent years, up 30% since 1999, according to the CDC.

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