Opinion

The Mental Health Green Paper

Schools are front and centre in the new child mental health proposals, but these plans will need to be honed and implemented swiftly if they are to address the current crisis, argues Anna Feuchtwang

At last, mental health proposals that recognise the importance of schools.

Teachers are often among the first to notice when a pupil’s psychological state deteriorates: the school absences, the trouble concentrating in class, difficulty making friends, depression, low moods, even self-harm. But the trouble is that schools, under increasing financial pressure, have not been able to prioritise the pastoral support that can make a difference.

That could change under proposals outlined in the government Green Paper – Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision – which sets out a clear role for schools with a strong emphasis on prevention and early access to support.

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