Mental health leaders call for more investment in school-based mental health support
In a joint letter to Victoria Atkins MP, Secretary of State of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Place2Be and leaders from across the mental health, children's and education sector call for long-term, sustainable investment in school-based support. See the coverage, and read the full letter and list of signatories, below.
Dear Secretary of State,
One in 5 children and young people face a probable mental health condition, a continuing rise.
A recent YouGov survey found that over 50% of children face barriers from seeking mental health support, despite struggling, because they are embarrassed, fearful or will not turn to someone they do not know.
Around half of mental health conditions develop by the age of 14, so supporting children early on is vital. Yet only 8% of NHS mental health spending goes on children’s services. The Government’s school-based Mental Health Support Teams will only reach 50% of pupils by 2025.
Place2Be, alongside other leading organisations, has worked in schools and supported children for decades, providing them with a safe place to be themselves, where they can talk in confidence with a trusted, trained mental health professional. This equips them to manage their emotional challenges and feel connected. They are also more likely to stay in education.
It is not just children who benefit. School-based mental health support relieves pressure on parents, school staff and the NHS and is proven to be cost-effective.
This Children’s Mental Health Week we must listen to young people and commit to long-term, sustainable investment in school-based support. Young people are counting on us.
Catherine Roche, CEO, Place2Be
Michael Samuel MBE, Chair, Anna Freud
Kathy Roberts, Chief Executive, Association of Mental Health Providers
Lynn Perry, CEO, Barnardos
Dr Souci Frissa, CEO, Black Thrive Global
Peter Leonard, Chief Executive, The Centre for Emotional Health
Amy Whitelock Gibbs, Chair, The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition
Jack Reynolds, Chief Executive, Football Beyond Borders
Julie Muir, Executive Director for Recovery, Forward Trust
Jacqui Dennaford, Chief Officer, Joe’s Buddy Line
Rebecca Gray, CEO, Maudsley Charity
Simon Blake, Chief Executive, Mental Health First Aid England
Victoria Hornby, CEO, Mental Health Innovations
Sir Peter Wanless, CEO, NSPCC
Lea Milligan, CEO, MQ Mental Health Research
Brian Dow, Chief Executive, Mental Health UK
Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO, Mind
Alison Unsted, CEO, MindForward Alliance
Chris Martin, CEO, The Mix
Elise Temple, Principal & Director of Education and Skills, Nacro
Jyles Robillard-Day, CEO, National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
Phil Anderson, Strategic Director of External Affairs, National Children's Bureau
Dr Lade Smith CBE, President, Royal College of Psychiatrists
Marjorie Wallace CBE, Chief Executive, SANE
Tim Coulson, Chair, Schools Wellbeing Partnership
Cassie Oakeshott, CEO, UP-Unlocking Potential
Ndidi Okezie, CEO, UK Youth
Cassandra Harrison, CEO, Youth Access
Tom Madders, Director of Communications and Campaigns, YoungMinds