The Government have announced a new pledge to ensure every secondary school in the country will be offering Mental Health First Aid training by 2020. The British Youth Council welcome the Government’s announcement, which follows the Youth Select Committee’s recommendation for mandatory training for teachers on young people’s mental health.
The British Youth Council’s Youth Select Committee published its report in November 2015, following an inquiry which gathered evidence from a range of witnesses, including charities, young people, academics, Ministers and health and education professionals. The Committee offered recommendations across three key areas: funding and the state of services, a role for education and awareness, stigma and digital culture.
The Committee were very clear the training should focus on how to respond to a young person who asks about mental health, how to spot problems and where to refer young people when they become concerned.
Jake Pitt, Vice Chair – Campaigns and Communications, British Youth Council said: “This is great news for students across the country! It’s absolutely paramount school teachers are equipped with the correct training to support the mental health and wellbeing of their students.”
Although the Government have taken on a number of the Youth Select Committee’s recommendations the British Youth Council will continue to ensure the Government prioritise young people’s health. The Youth Select Committee investigate a different issue each year and this year they’re examining body image and its effects on young people.
