It feels wonderful to say Mental Health Education has now been on the curriculum across England and Wales for two terms, thanks to your support. So ahead of the Parliamentary Elections in Scotland it seems an ideal time to check in on the progress for young people there...

Since Nicola Sturgeon first sent us the attached message of support, particular progress has been made around increased access to counselling via schools and support for teachers in creating an environment where young people feel comfortable asking for help. Especially around grief and anxiety which are so widespread currently.

That being said much more is required to meet the three core aims of this petition and research from the Mental Health Foundation in Scotland highlights the scale of this need:

1. Mental Health education becoming mandatory teaching for all schools in the UK without the addition of any exams or homework on this subject

“Children and young people are least likely to be affected by Covid19 physically but are most likely to be affected psychologically.” Toni Giugliano, Senior Policy Manager

2. Every child having the ability to access a qualified counsellor through their school.

“It is estimated that 10% of children and young people have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem and 20% of teenagers may experience a mental health problem in any given year.”

3. Every school offering Mental Health training for its staff.

“71% of teachers told the charity that they lack the right training to help them address mental health concerns with pupils.” Plus 92% of teachers surveyed support mental health training being embedded in their teacher training curriculum.

With the elections nearly upon us it’s an ideal time to push MSPs on delivering these vital elements to support a generation particularly at risk during the pandemic.

Please join me in sharing this petition and ideally tagging in your local candidates !

Many thanks, Bobby Temps

Host of ‘Mental - The Podcast to Destigmatise Mental Health’

(Ps you can find this image by Verity Milligan as postcard HERE)

October 2018 message of support from the First Minister:

“We want every child and young person to have appropriate access to emotional and mental well-being support in school. Our ambitious Mental Health Strategy – launched last year – sets out clearly how we can improve early intervention, and ensure better access to services.

We have built on this positive action through the commitments within this year’s Programme for Government which included measures for radical reform of our response to mental ill-health and support for good mental health. This included a commitment to invest in access to school counselling services, mental health first aid training for local authority staff and counselling in further and higher education.

Learning in Health and wellbeing should give children and young people the knowledge and understanding, skills, capabilities and attributes which they need for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing and we are currently undertaking a national review of Personal and Social Education which will report at the end of this year.”