The British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Surveys in 1999 & 2004 found that at least 1 in 10 children and young people under the age of 16 have a diagnosable mental health disorder.  Among the 5-10 year olds, 10% of boys and 5% of girls had a mental health problem while among 11-16 year olds the prevalence was 13% for boys and 10% for girls.   If the government is serious about early diagnosis and prevention being the key to supporting children and young people with mental ill health, we need at least one person in every educational setting who has been trained with basic skills to begin the important process. In my experience, this is not currently the case.  In Primary and Secondary Schools, staff are facing increasing pressure dealing with children and young people presenting with all the symptoms pointing at a mental health problem, but due to lack of specialised knowledge and training by staff, it can be treated as a behavioural problem, which can, in many cases ensure the childs mental health deteriorates...sometimes leading into periods of school absence and further mental health problems not being picked up. Mental Health First Aid training takes 2 days and costs £300 per course.  For such a small percentage of budget, I believe it could help save many children and young people (and their families) from a great deal of unnecessary and prolonged suffering which could have been picked up earlier, and treated accordingly. Childhood passes so quickly.  You can help to ensure children and young people have access to people who can recognise they are suffering from an illness and try and get them the help and support they surely deserve. Thankyou