STROUD’S MP has welcomed new government measures to offer mental health support for every secondary school.

The government announced on Monday, January 9 that each secondary school will be offered mental health first aid training to increase awareness and help tackle mental health prejudice.

Figures show young people are affected disproportionately with over half of mental health problems starting at the age of 14 and 75 per cent by 18.

Stroud MP Neil Carmichael, said: “I am encouraged by the Prime Minister’s focus on children’s mental health and the role that education can play in tackling this pressing issue.

“But if long-term improvements are to be achieved then schools and health services must be given the proper resources, support and expertise so they can work more closely and effectively together.

“As Chair of the Education Select Committee I am looking forward to hearing what those involved at the front line think of the Government's proposals, and to scrutinising and influencing the Government through the committees’ joint inquiry into education and young people’s mental health.”

Secretary for health, Jeremy Hunt stated that a Green Paper will be produced this year to tackle the issue further.

He said: “This is about thinking through a smart way to improve resilience training and self-help and to educate schools so that they can spot when something is just temporary and when it could be something a lot more serious, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, an eating disorder or something else that needs more immediate help.”

The government says one in four people has a mental disorder at some point in their life, with an annual cost of £105bn.

They also announced trials on strengthening links between schools and NHS specialist staff, including a review of children and adolescent services across the country and by 2021, no child will be sent away from their local area to receive treatment for mental health issues.