Cllr. Ben Shirley welcomes additional mental health support for local pupils
Cllr. Ben Shirley (Shadow Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, Cumbria County Council) has welcomed news that children and young people in Cumbria are to benefit from additional mental health support.
It has been announced today that all schools and colleges in Cumbria will be offered mental health training as part of the Government’s commitment to providing more joined up care.
The mental health training announced today is backed by £9.3 million and will be provided through workshops which bring together school and college staff and NHS professionals. It will raise awareness of mental health concerns and improve referrals to specialist help when needed. All schools will have access to training over the next four years.
The announcement is part of the Government’s wider programme to support young people’s mental health, which includes an additional £1.4 billion investment and the introduction of compulsory health education lessons from 2020.
Commenting, Cllr. Shirley said:
“Bringing school and college staff into the same room as NHS professionals, and encouraging them to work together, will ensure more pupils get the right support at the right time.
“With half of all lifetime cases of mental health disorders beginning by the age of 14, bridging the gap between education and NHS services is vital if we are to ensure all children get the best possible start in life.”
