Thomas
Turrell has welcomed news that children and young people in Greenwich &
Woolwich are to benefit from additional mental health support.
It was
announced in July that all schools and colleges in Greenwich and Woolwich 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, Thomas
Turrell 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.”