Moray SNP News

MSP SEEKS INFORMATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION FOR YOUNGSTERS IN MORAY SCHOOLS

Richard Lochhead has written to the Chief Executive of The Moray Council to ask for details about the education and support given to school pupils in Moray in relation to mental health.  Mr Lochhead was contacted by a constituent who has suffered from long-term mental illness and who is keen for our youngsters to be well informed on the issue in an effort to equip them on a personal level and also to help remove the stigma associated with mental illness.  

Last month the Scottish Government announced significant new investment to improve mental health services for children and adults.  The £54million will be provided to NHS boards over four years to improve support and treatment for those who need it.  Mr Lochhead welcomes this increase in funding and is keen to know what role our local schools play in educating our youngsters about mental illness.

Commenting, Richard Lochhead said:

“Mental health difficulties affect a significant portion of our population and, sadly, there is still a negative stigma with mental illness which will only shift through proactive steps being taken to better educate our youngsters about the challenges faced by so many.  The chances are we all know someone who has been affected by mental illness and it is absolutely vital that measures are taken by relevant agencies to ensure our young people are supported and are aware of mental illness, whether it affects them personally, their family, future partners or friends.

“I am delighted with the £54million investment by the Scottish Government to improve mental health services for those who suffer from mental ill-health, however, our education system can also play an important role and I am keen to find out what is currently being offered in our local schools.  As always, prevention is better than cure and whilst it would be inaccurate to suggest that education can prevent mental illness, education can only help to assist the process towards better mental wellbeing and when better to raise the matter than during Children’s Mental Health Week.”