1 in 6 children and young people – or 5 kids in a class of 30 – have a diagnosable mental health condition.
Children’s Mental Health Week aims to focus attention on that national crisis and accelerate action to address it.
The North of Tyne Combined Authority is funding a range of programmes to help improve children’s mental health.
North of Tyne Mayor, Jamie Driscoll said:
“We’ve come straight out of an extraordinary pandemic into a cost-of-living crisis.
“The climate emergency is in effect. There’s war in Europe. These are worrying times for all of us – but especially for children and young people. Their self-confidence. Their resilience. Emotional intelligence. These attributes are just as – if not more – important than any grade or test score.
“That’s why we’re funding programmes to support children’s mental health.”
60 schools have already joined the School Mental Health initiative, which is available to a further 240 schools. This takes a ‘whole school’ approach to mental health, providing training for teachers and support staff and encouraging children to discuss any problems openly.
50 schools are taking part in the Melva programme, that uses storytelling to discuss anxiety, trauma and bereavement. It’s delivered by Mortal Fools – a multi-award-winning theatre, drama and creative learning charity.
And 100 schools are taking part in our oracy programme to help children express themselves more effectively in the classroom.
North of Tyne Mayor, Jamie Driscoll added:
“We are always open to innovative ways to improve children’s mental health. At the North of Tyne we’re determined that no child is left behind.”
For more information on our School Mental Health Award please see: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/research/carnegie-centre-of-excellence-for-mental-health-in-schools/
For more information on Melva please see: https://melva.org.uk/north-of-tyne/
For more information on our oracy programme, Voice North of Tyne, please see: https://voice21.org/voice-21-and-notcla-announce-voice-north-of-tyne/