Figures released by the Local Government Association estimate that between 70 and 75 per cent of young people experiencing a mental health problem are unable to access any treatment.

This is due to lack of funding, despite at least one in 10 children and young people being affected by mental health problems.

Early interventions such as in-school counselling can play an important role in reducing waiting times for treatment, reducing patient distress and reducing pressures on mental health service providers.

Wera Hobhouse said

“The government have distinctly failed to provide adequate levels of funding for mental health services in general, and the problem is particularly acute in schools. They talk up their credentials on mental health, and then cut funding to schools meaning that they can’t provide counselling. They are completely detached from the effects of their policies, and have demonstrated that they do not care about young people’s mental health.”

Wera‘s motion urges the Government to use 5.3 per cent of the funding already promised to improve children’s and young people’s mental health service provision to deliver counselling in every secondary school, and equivalent alternative education provision, in England.

Wera said

“I currently have cross-party support for my motion, and will keep the pressure on the government to address this problem.”