Justin Welcomes New Funding To Improve Mental Health Support In Schools

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has welcomed a £2.3 million investment from the Government to improve mental health support in schools.

Swindon has been chosen as one of seven ‘trailblazer’ regions to implement its proposals set out in the Department of Health and Social Care's 'Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health' green paper.

These proposals will see Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group create new mental health support teams to work with children and young people in and near their schools, as well as train designated mental health leads in schools and colleges.

The model has been developed with the involvement of 25 professionals from the voluntary sector, schools, Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group and the Borough Council (including the virtual school team, designated health professionals for children looked after, mental health commissioners and strategy leads).

The announcement builds on work the Government is doing to support people experiencing mental health issues. Currently, mental health spending is at a record £11.7 billion. During the budget the Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced and extra £2 billion pounds a year to support mental health provision – which will help find more mental health ambulances, more places of safety, increased community support and comprehensive support at every major A&E by 2024.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “I am very pleased to see that the Government has seen the excellent work going on in Swindon to support young people's mental health, and is investing in these new initiatives. The Government has very clearly demonstrated that it recognises the increasing issue of mental health problems and is committed to ensuring that support is available.”