Council challenged to reveal details of Mental Health education in schools

Duchess of Cambridge launched Children's Mental Health Week this week
Duchess of Cambridge launched Children’s Mental Health Week this week

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK is being used by Richard Lochhead MSP as the perfect time to press Moray Council on their provision of education and support for school pupils.

The Moray MSP says he has been contacted by a constituent who has suffered from long-term mental illness – and who is keen for young people to be well informed on the issue.

Significant new investment was announced to improve mental health services for children and adults by the Scottish Government last month, with a total of £54million provided to NHS boards over four years.

Now the MSP says he is keen to learn what role local schools in Moray will play in educating young people about mental illness. He said: “Mental health difficulties affect a significant portion of our population and, sadly, there is still a negative stigma with mental illness.

“This will only shift through proactive steps being taken to better educate our youngsters about the challenges faced by so many.

“The chances are we all know someone who has been affected by mental illness and it is absolutely vital that measures are taken by relevant agencies to ensure our young people are supported and are aware of mental illness, whether it affects them personally, their family, future partners or friends.

“Our education system can play an important role and I am keen to find out what is currently being offered in our local schools.

“As always, prevention is better than cure and whilst it would be inaccurate to suggest that education can prevent mental illness, education can only help to assist the process towards better mental wellbeing and when better to raise the matter than during Children’s Mental Health Week.”

Mr Lochhead added that he has written to the Chief Executive at Moray Council seeking details on education and support on the issue being provided in Moray’s schools, highlighting that it is the ideal time to pose such a question it being Children’s Mental Health Week which runs through until Sunday.