As reported by UK Parliament, members of the House of Lords discuss schools’ responsibility in nurturing students’ well-being and development, proposing solutions to address mental health challenges
Opening the debate, Baroness Bennett said:
‘In November 2023 NHS Digital estimated that 20% of eight to 16 year-olds had a probable mental health disorder.
‘We need schools that are more democratic and more compassionate, caring and forgiving…They need to be far richer in art, culture, physical activity and play. That is the sort of schools that we need to care for the mental health and well-being of our future generations, to send them out into the world for a healthy, fulfilling and productive life.’
Baroness Barran (Conservative), Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education, responded on behalf of the government:
‘We have extended our attendance mental programme and we will have 32 attendance hubs, meaning that 2,000 schools will be helped to tackle persistent absence with that peer-to-peer support.
‘We are extending [mental health support teams] to an estimated 44% of pupils and learners by the end of this financial year and to at least 50% by the end of March 2025.’
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