Nearly six million children and young people, a record number and including a majority in Liverpool Garston, can now access mental health support in their school or college – giving them the tools and resilience they need to stay in education and thrive as adults.
This is around 800,000 more pupils than last year, with Labour’s Mental Health Support Teams now working in almost 11,800 schools and colleges across England.
These teams are already making a clear difference. Nine in ten schools and colleges say they are improving children’s mental health and wellbeing, while seven in ten report improved attendance — helping keep pupils in school and on track for their futures.
The link between absence and lost opportunity is stark, with persistently absent pupils earning around £10,000 less by age 28. With around one million 16- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training – and poor mental health a major barrier – this is a key challenge holding young people back.
This reflects findings in the Milburn Review, which shows poor mental health is a barrier to education, employment and training. It also highlights a damaging cycle where poor mental health drives disengagement, and disengagement in turn worsens mental health.
By bringing support into schools, Labour is breaking that cycle early – ensuring children get the right support at the right time. Now, nearly 80% of secondary schools now have access to a mental health support team, providing timely, practical help as pressures on young people continue to grow.
I’m pleased that this support is now available to young people across Liverpool Garston. I hear on my visits to our local schools about the rise in mental health issues in students and this is a great package of support that will provide real help when needed.