Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Mental Health Support: Schools

Monday 16 June 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Stroud schools teach mental health first aid to 16-year-olds, providing them with qualifications.
  • Reading West and Mid Berkshire schools view good mental health as essential for student enjoyment and potential.
  • Government funding of 680 million is transforming mental health services for children across constituencies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Simon Opher Lab Stroud
Education Mental Health
Context

In Stroud, six schools are teaching mental health first aid to 16-year-olds, and students receive a qualification that they can use for job and university applications. Rednock school has introduced lanyards to identify these trained students who can assist others with their mental health.

Question

I am concerned about the innovative scheme in Stroud where six schools teach mental health first aid to 16-year-olds, giving them a qualification that they can use for jobs and university applications. At Rednock school, these students wear coloured lanyards so other students can seek help from them if needed. Would the Minister support and extend this scheme?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

I am happy to hear about the successful project in my hon. Friend’s constituency, and I am interested to learn more as we share further details. Separately, to support education staff, the Department provides a range of guidance and practical resources on promoting and supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Supporting and extending the scheme was not directly addressed; response focused on existing guidance instead.

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Q2 Olivia Bailey Lab Reading West and Mid Berkshire
Education Mental Health
Context

Good mental health is considered crucial for pupils to enjoy school, achieve their potential, and prepare for life. A programme aims to provide support for nearly a million more young people this year.

Question

In my constituency’s schools, good mental health is seen as the foundation for students’ enjoyment of school, reaching their full potential, and getting ready for life. In addition to expanding mental health support for almost a million more young people this year, will the Minister confirm that every child who needs it will receive mental health support by the end of this Parliament?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

I agree with my hon. Friend, but would add that it is not just seen through the expansion of mental health support teams. With an extra £680 million in Government funding this year, the Government are transforming mental health services for children in Reading West and Mid Berkshire and across the country, hiring more staff, delivering more talking therapies and getting waiting lists down through our plan for change so that children can have the best possible start in life.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Confirmation of support for every child was not directly given; response discussed funding and staffing instead.

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