Mental Health Foundation responds to Government proposals on mental health
The Mental Health Foundation has responded to the Government’s announcement that it is to invest £32 million in psychological therapies to help children and young people who are suffering from mental health problems. You can read about this investment here.
Speaking out about the proposed investment, the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation (MHF), Dr. Andrew McColluch. says:
‘We are very pleased to see the Government is fulfilling its commitment to invest more in talking therapies for children and young people, following the announcement today that the Government will invest £32 million in psychological therapies to help children and young people suffering from mental health problems.’
It is vital that young people receive early intervention when faced with poor mental health. In an effort to see that this is delivered the MHF will now be part of the BOND Consortium (Better Outcomes, New Delivery).
Dr. McCulloch says ‘ In light of this announcement, the Mental Health Foundation are delighted to be a part of the BOND Consortium – a programme funded by the Department for Education, which aims to build the capacity of Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations to deliver early intervention mental health support for children and young people.’
Understanding, knowledge and experience will be required to ensure that the programme meets its full potential and the Mental Health Foundation are just the people to ensure this.
‘Going forward, the Government must ensure that talking therapies are carried out by experienced psychologists who are qualified to work with children, and that their sessions are appropriately supervised. Also, we must not forget that a child’s early years are crucially important in terms of developing good mental wellbeing and emotional resilience and we must invest in improved health visitor support and parenting skills in the first months and years of a child’s life, which is a key focus of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, hosted by the Mental Health Foundation,’ concludes Dr. McCulloch.
