PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Mental Health Services: Schools (17 June 2019)

We are aware of the potential health harms of screen use and social media, on both the mental and physical health of young people and are undertaking several actions relevant to this area.

In line with the commitments set out in the NHS Long Term Plan, on 20 December the Government announced the first wave of 25 trailblazer sites that will test the plans set out in ‘Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision: a green paper’, published in December 2017.

These new plans will significantly increase the availability of mental health support to children and young people, including creating new Mental Health Support Teams working in and near schools and colleges to support children and young people with mild to moderate mental health conditions. Mental Health Support Teams will provide brand new services and are intended to offer earlier help and intervention with issues such as online harms and the adverse effects of social media.