“The Government’s approach to improving children and young people’s mental health should be more ambitious, wide-ranging and comprehensive,” Centre for Mental Health chief executive Sarah Hughes said today.
Responding to the report of the Education and the Health and Social Care Select Committees, The Government’s Green Paper on mental health: failing a generation, Sarah Hughes said: “We welcome the Committees’ call for action across government and in all relevant policy areas to boost children’s mental health and wellbeing. Today’s report sets out a wide range of areas where concerted action is necessary to bring about the level of change needed to give all children a better chance in life.
Today’s report sets out a wide range of areas where concerted action is necessary to bring about the level of change needed to give all children a better chance in life.
“We particularly welcome the Committees’ call for a bigger focus on prevention and early intervention, including for vulnerable groups and communities, and in early years as well as schools. We also welcome the recommendation that the Government reviews evidence on the impact of exam pressures on young people’s mental health and its call for PSHE to be compulsory in all schools.
We welcome the recommendation that the Government reviews evidence on the impact of exam pressures on young people’s mental health and its call for PSHE to be compulsory in all schools.
“The Committees’ report recognises that too many young people are still ‘falling through the gaps’ in services as they move into adulthood, and calls for distinctive approaches to further education and supporting young people in apprenticeships. And it notes that some of the most vulnerable young people, including those who have been looked after and those in the youth justice system, need particular attention from policymakers.
Some of the most vulnerable young people, including those who have been looked after and those in the youth justice system, need particular attention from policymakers.
“Today’s report is an opportunity for the Government to review the proposals in the green paper and to develop a strategy for children and young people’s mental health that will be genuinely transformative for all children.”
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