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Schools (Mental Health Professionals)
09 January 2024
Lead MP
Munira Wilson
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSMental Health
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Munira Wilson raised concerns about schools (mental health professionals) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Liberal Democrats propose a Bill that would place a dedicated qualified mental health practitioner in every school, aiming to ensure early intervention for children's and young people’s mental health issues. It emphasises the inadequacy of current mental health services, exacerbated by the pandemic, and highlights statistics such as one in five children between the ages of seven and 16 having probable mental health disorders. The Bill would enable schools to provide care and support from the moment a child starts needing it, reducing burdens on teachers and other emergency services.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
She outlines the inadequacy of mental health services for young people before and during the pandemic. She notes that early intervention is crucial, as half of all lifetime mental health disorders start before the age of 14. She also discusses the current under-resourcing of mental health support teams, with some schools only having access to these services for half a day to one day per week. Furthermore, she argues that schools should not have to fund mental health provision themselves and suggests funding through tripling the digital services tax on big social media companies.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.