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£1.5m funding to help young people set up peer support groups and mental health networks (18 February 2016)

Date: 18/02/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, £1.5m funding to help young people set up peer support groups and mental health networks

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has announced £1.5 million in funding to help young people spot signs of mental illness via new peer support networks.

The funding announced on Wednesday (17/02/16) will be used to set up projects driven by young people, to help them develop support networks and talk about mental health, including access to online advice and workshops to assist in setting up networks.

A digital innovation fund will be used to provide engaging online resources for parents and young people, such as mobile phone apps.

A new advisory group will gather evidence from young people about their experiences – and will work with schools running successful peer-to-peer support networks, so the new approach can be extended to thousands of schools across the country.

The group will be supported by experts from charities – including Young Minds – as well as head teachers and young people themselves.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan is urging young adults to become involved – and to tell the government what help they would need to set up peer support networks.

The call for evidence has been launched on social media platforms such as Twitter and sites such as Sugarscape, to make it easier for young people to get involved.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said:

“We know that if mental health issues aren’t tackled in children, it can blight their lives as adults – that’s why I think all schools should be having an open and frank conversation about mental health, so that we continue to tackle the stigma that still surrounds it and ensure every child gets the support they need.

“The truth is, that the people who best understand the pressures that young people face are their classmates and friends – they’re the ones that spot the telltale signs that their friends are experiencing problems and [are] the people to whom children are most likely to turn for support.

“That’s why today’s announcements are about giving young people the training they need to spot the signs of mental health issues and get the support they need.

“To do that we will be working with schools, mental health experts, charities –
and, most importantly, young people themselves.

“The information gathered through the call for evidence, launched today, will be used by the advisory group to develop peer support pilot schemes, setting up projects learning from those that are already doing it well, to inspire other young people.”

Education and Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah added:

“We are at a turning point in how we tackle children’s mental health issues –
and we are determined to put children and young people at the heart of this process.

“That’s why today, I am excited to announce this funding to help encourage young people to champion each other’s mental wellbeing – and work together to promote good mental health.

“I have met some impressive young people who have shown that peer support can work really well – and I want to see more of this high-quality support benefiting young people up and down the country.”

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors
Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on a wide range of issues – including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit NHS hospitals and police stations to advise on mental health law – and are available nationwide at short notice for hospital and police station appointments.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on a range of issues, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0333 772 0409.

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