Funding boost for youth mental health projects

NEARLY half a million pounds is going to mental health projects to support young people.

Twenty three projects in the south east will get a share of £484,000 and the news has pleased Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage.

She said: ‘I am pleased to see that this vital funding will go into ensuring that our children get the community support they need to grow up happy and healthy.’

‘It is worrying to see the mental health epidemic that young people across the country face, hindering their confidence, development and prospects so early in life.’

Statistics have revealed that approximately 10 per cent of five to 16-year-olds have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem and 75 per cent of mental illnesses are thought to start before the age of 25.

The funding is focused on providing children and young people aged 25 and below better access to education and support, focusing on early intervention and prevention.

The aim is to provide services that are more difficult to access through the NHS and there is an emphasis on improving the support available to groups such as LGBT young people and people from minority and ethnic backgrounds.

Minister for mental health Nadine Dorries added: ‘We know children and young people today face many pressures at home and in their social and academic lives but giving them easily accessible mental health support at an early age can help them thrive later in life.

‘That’s why the government is investing billions every year to transform mental health care, and giving more money to innovative, community-led projects.’