Yesterday the government released some initial outlines from Damian Hinds MP the Secretary of State for Education with the Department of Education on including mental health in the compulsory school curriculum from 2020. This is currently in the consultation stage, which means nothing is certain so our petition is far from over as we work to make sure the core aims of this petition are fulfilled:
- Mental Health education becoming mandatory for all schools in the UK.
- Every child having the ability to access a qualified counsellor through their school. This is something that many workplaces already offer.
- Every school offering Mental Health training for its staff.
Damian Hinds MP is one of the people this petition is targeted to, and therefore gets regular updates on its progress. No doubt these developments are a massive and positive step forward, but I am keen to make sure they go far enough to really make the positive difference this petition is all about.
Meanwhile, we are gaining support from politicians across the political spectrum including those below. If you think this would be of interest to your local MP, email us at mentalpodcast@icloud.com so together we can get them on board.
- Preet Gill MP of Birmingham Edgbaston with The Labour Party. (Video Attached)
- Caroline Lucas MP Co-Leader of The Green Party who told us “I am proud to support the campaign by Mental Podcast to get mental health education on the curriculum. The understanding we develop as young people about our own mental health, and that of others, has lifelong repercussions, not only in the personal relationships we form, but on our careers and prospects, and the ability to reach our potential.”
- Rachael Maskell MP of York Central with Labour (Co-op) who told us “One of the greatest challenges facing young people today concerns their mental health.” and “Placing mental health education on the school curriculum is an excellent initiative to support the wellbeing of children and young adults.”
- Lee Rowley MP of North East Derbyshire with The Conservative Party.
- Stephen Kinnock MP of Aberavon with Labour who told us “This important initiative raises awareness and builds trust, and I fully support their proposal that Mental Health Education should be a mandatory part of the school curriculum, right across the UK.”
- Norman Lamb MP of North Norfolk with The Liberal Democrats.
- Hywel Williams MP of Plaid Cymru, a former mental health social worker, who told us ‘It is so important that we understand how to protect and promote the wellbeing of all children and young people and that is why I’m pleased to support Mental Podcast with their campaign to break the stigma around mental health.’
For a full list of support so far we have a document on our website. Thank you for all the support and powerful messages we are receiving. Keep sharing and together we can empower generations to come with better mental health understanding and reduced stigma.
Thank you, Bobby Temps
Host of ‘Mental - The Podcast to Destigmatise Mental Health’