The government has committed to improving mental health support for children and young people as part of a new five-year strategy to reduce suicide rates in England.
The Department of Health and Social Care has announced the cross-government plan to “to aid specific groups at risk of suicide, including children and young people, autistic people, middle-aged men, pregnant women, and new mothers”.
As part of the plan, schools, universities, and charities will be signed up to a new national alert system to notify relevant authorities of emerging methods of suicides and risks, and any required actions that can reduce access or limit awareness.
Further measures aimed at children and young people highlighted in the plan include:
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Working with NHS England to continue to roll out mental health support teams in schools and colleges.
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Reviewing relationships, sex and health education guidance to consider the inclusion of suicide and self-harm prevention as an explicit part of the curriculum.
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Offering all state schools and colleges funding to train a senior mental health lead by 2025.
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Funding anti-bullying organisations to support schools to tackle bullying.
