LGA responds to £17 million funding to improve mental health in schools

10 May 2021 03:17 PM

Cllr Teresa Heritage, Vice Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board responds to government announcing a further £17 million to improve mental health and support in schools and colleges.

“This funding is a positive step to help address mental health problems, which have been exacerbated during the pandemic, particularly for children living in families with lower incomes and whose parents may be experiencing financial difficulties.

“Local councils and schools have a vital role in helping children have mentally healthy childhoods and mental health needs to be at the heart of a holistic approach to overall health and wellbeing, which includes school-based support and investment in community-based services, such as youth services.

“Supporting children early on to reduce the need for clinical interventions means more can receive help when they need it, rather than waiting until they are unwell. It is vital that effective and evidence-based mental health and wellbeing services and statutory mental health services for children are able to meet existing, new and unmet demand that has built up during the pandemic.”

Schools and colleges to benefit from boost in expert mental health support