There is a ‘Hidden Injustice’ according to Prime Minister, Teresa May, who is expected to give greater help for schools and businesses to deal the issues to mental health.
The PM spoke at the Charity Commission on the 9th Jan, announcing new training for teachers, improved online self-checking facilities, and a review of services for children and young people.
It is expected that £15m will be invested into community mental health services, encouraging a change in focus from GP and A&E to improved community care.
May has said, “Mental health has been dangerously disregarded as secondary to physical health… hopes to transform attitudes to such problems.”
David Cameron’s “better society” plan put the burden of mental health services on the voluntary sector. PM May aims to change this by introducing new measures like ensuring every secondary school offers mental health first aid training, this extends to employers and organisations when cases arise in supporting their staff.
Improved quality control by the CQC as they review the service for children and adolescents. In addition to online services to allow symptom checks before face-to-face appointments.
Kate Mulley, Director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children said, “…We urge the prime minster to ensure the planned thematic review will address the mental health needs of our country’s 70,000 children in care. Many looked after children endure trauma and abuse in their lives before care… evidence shows that looked after children are almost five times more likely than the general population to suffer from poor mental health… Yet these children can come up against barriers to receiving the help they need. Children in care need different Government departments to work together to identify and respond to their mental health needs.”
This new pledge on mental health must ensure that improved requirements are needed from health professionals to play a more effective role.
What is your opinion on PM Teresa May’s new pledge for mental health?
Will her proposed plans help with better awareness before patients reach the hospital stage?