QUESTIONS? CALL: 020 7250 8374
  • News
  • Press Office
  • Blog
  • Resources

British Youth Council

British Youth Council

We empower young people across the UK to have a say and be heard

02072508374
Email: info@byc.org.uk

British Youth Council
CAN Mezzanine 49-51 East Road London N1 6AH

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Programmes & Services
  • Campaigns
  • Members
  • Support Us
  • Contact Us
DONATE
 April 18, 2021

Welcoming Theresa May’s announcement on young people’s mental health

Rhys Hart
Tuesday, 10 January 2017 / Published in Blogs, Youth Select Committee

Welcoming Theresa May’s announcement on young people’s mental health

As Chair of the Youth Select Committee on Young People’s Mental Health, I warmly welcomed Theresa May’s pledge to overhaul mental health and to give parity of esteem for children and young people’s mental health with their physical health.

The Youth Select Committee is a British Youth Council initiative, supported by the House of Commons and the pledge gives priority to key recommendations in the Youth Select Committee’s 2015 report. The issue of mental health was a top issue in the Make Your Mark youth ballot of 2015; the biggest youth consultation in the country, which saw more than 108 000 young people aged 11-18 vote for it as a top issue of concern.

This issue is also one close to my heart too, I have campaigned locally and been a part of the mental health debate from the age of 14. Starting in my county of Shropshire I took part in council initiatives, NHS research and support projects; listened to young people engaged with CAMHS and school mental health services and campaigned for improvement as a Member of UK Youth Parliament. Knowing family members, friends and many in my community struggle deeply with mental health, it was this injustice which motivated me to want to be a part of the Youth Select Committee. It makes me proud that such a common injustice is now being giving the attention it is long overdue.

The Youth Select Committee found a large range of issues facing young people’s mental health. Such issues include an absence of support and signposting in schools, bullying online, stigma around the discussion of mental health and the growing pressures and decreasing funding, as causes of a youth mental health crises. In response the committee made a few but vital recommendations, based on awareness, education and services. These include but are not limited to: commissioners appointed to local areas, the design of a trusted mental health app, mental health first aid training and an extremely important proportionate increase and ring-fencing of young people’s mental health services budget. The recent response to the committee’s recommendation of the focus on teacher training and mental health first aid in schools is particularly welcome, as in our research we found it common for education to be the cause or trigger of mental health issues such as anxiety. It is an alarming fact that 340 000 5-10 year olds suffer from a mental disorder and this figure increases with teenagers – affecting both their social life and their education. The Committee recommends that teacher training be specific and mandatory and that it focuses on how to respond, how to spot problems and where to refer.

A young person with mental health issues cannot succeed to their full potential in the current learning environment and a holistic, whole school approach with training for all is a key step forward in improving students’ academic abilities and mental wellbeing.

However, there is still work do be done, I am keen to hear if the government will also accept and instil the committee’s recommendation to have a mental health nurse or councillor who is fully trained in schools. The achievement of parity of esteem between one’s physical health and ones mental health is of grave concern, and although teacher training in mental health and signposting is very important, a fully qualified mental health nurse/councillor is necessary to provide a wider service to meet the need. Though this is only a cog in the work, to truly deal with the growing mental health crises, the government must consider an increase and ring fence of key services budgets for mental health. The case for need is there. Additionally, the economic case provides only further evidence we are creating a backlog of individuals with mental health issues which will be harder and more expensive to deal in adulthood, yet the majority of mental health funding is in adult hood. Prevention is better than cure. But nevertheless, this is a great and brilliant pledge by Theresa May. The Government has taken a welcomed step forward for young people and mental heath and I hope there are many more steps to come down this long road.

 

  • Tweet

What you can read next

Racism and religious discrimination to be examined by Youth Select Committee
Youth Select Committee calls for evidence on racism and religious discrimination
Youth Select Committee to focus on racism and religious discrimination

Recent Posts

  • Transforming Education

    About the campaign In 2020’s Make Your Mark bal...
  • Mental Health: A movement for change

    About the campaign In 2020’s Make Your Mark bal...
  • Stop Plastic Pollution

    About campaign In 2020’s Make Your Mark ballot ...
  • UK Youth Parliament launch campaigns to address biggest issues facing young people

    UK Youth Parliament launched their national cam...
  • Take Part In Our 100km Walk Challenge

    The Coronavirus pandemic has really reduced the...

Email us: info@byc.org.uk

Call us: 020 7250 8374

Registered Charity no. 1123224 Company Limited by Guarantee no. 6226595

Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: CAN Mezzanine, 49-51 East Road,
London, N1 6AH.

  • ABOUT
  • PRESS
  • COMPLAINTS
  • GET SOCIAL
British Youth Council

British Youth Council © 2016 All rights reserved.

TOP