Luke Pollard, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, has welcomed action to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Plymouth’s young people, with a new Mental Health Support Team in training and set to roll out services to local schools next year.
This comes as around 6 million children and young people across the country will now be able to access mental health support at school. These support teams will help give them the tools and resilience they need to thrive, both in school and later in life.
Around 800,000 more pupils will be able to access this support in comparison to last year, with Labour’s Mental Health Support Teams now working in almost 11,800 schools and colleges across England.
The difference these teams are making is clear. Nine out of ten schools and colleges say they are improving mental health and wellbeing among pupils, with seven out of ten reporting improved attendance. Being present in the classroom is vital for young people here in Plymouth to get the skills they need to succeed, and improving mental health has a huge impact.
The connection between poor attendance and lost opportunity is clear. By age 28, students who were persistently absent typically earn around £10,000 less a year than their counterparts. This is not acceptable. With around one million 16- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment, or training, with poor mental health being a major barrier, this is a key challenge holding young people back.
The Milburn Review found that poor mental health is a barrier to education, employment and training. It also found a damaging cycle where poor mental health drives disengagement, and disengagement in turn worsens mental health.
By bringing these support teams into Plymouth’s schools, we are breaking that cycle early, and ensuring local kids get the right support at the right time. Nearly 80% of secondary schools across the country will have access to a mental health support team, and the government is on track to roll out to every school by 2029.
Education Secretary, Bridget Philipson, said:
“As young people navigate the pressures of school and growing up, having the right support around them is crucial — which is why I am proud that today, six million children across England can access a mental health expert in their school.
“For too long, too many children have been let down — leaving school without the qualifications, confidence or support they need. We see it in attendance, in the attainment gap, and in the one million young people not in education, employment or training. That has to change.
“These teams are giving children the tools to manage life’s challenges, stay in school and achieve — and the evidence shows it is working. That is how we break down barriers so every young person, no matter their background, can get the most out of their education.”
Luke Pollard MP said:
“I know that every parent across Plymouth wants their child to grow up healthy and happy.
“I also know that this is a tough time to grow up in. With pressures on young people increasing, it is vital that we do all we can to support the next generation here in Plymouth.
“That is why I am proud that this Labour government are stepping in to support our young people manage mental health and wellbeing in schools, which will make an enormous difference when it comes to providing the skills and opportunities that will help them thrive later in life.”
This is in addition to the recruitment of 8,500 mental health support workers since June 2024, as part of the government’s commitment in the 10 Year Health Plan to deliver more mental health care across the country. Experts, including frontline workers, clinicians, and more are also being invited to shape a cross-government mental health strategy, placing greater emphasis on prevention.
The additional support for young people in Plymouth will mean identifying the needs of students earlier, offering 1:1 support, providing peer sessions, and improving the quality of life and wellbeing of our children.
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