A HEADTEACHER in East Lancashire has welcomed a new programme to tackle mental health issues in secondary school pupils across the country.

Some £200,000 is to be invested by the Government for the first year of the three-year scheme, which aims to help teachers identify and respond to early signs of mental health issues in pupils.

The programme will train 3,000 members of staff and cover every secondary school in England, with the aim of extending the scheme to primary schools by the end of the current parliament.

Teachers and teaching assistants will receive practical advice on how to deal with issues such as depression and anxiety, suicide and psychosis, self-harm and eating disorders.

They will also be invited to become ‘first aid champions’, sharing their knowledge and experiences across schools and communities to raise awareness and break down stigma and discrimination.

One in 10 school-aged children will have a mental health condition at any time, with half of all mental health conditions beginning before the age of 14.

Mark Jackson, headteacher at Haslingden High School, said he supported the scheme.

He said: “We would welcome anything that means more funding to help students with mental health issues.”

The National Union of Teachers in Lancashire said more was needed.

Simon Jones, the union’s Lancashire representative, said: “The Government needs to get real about prioritising mental health investment, but by its own figures this amounts to £67 per head.

“Mental health services have faced years of chronic under-funding. Parents of youngsters with anorexia, self-harm, depression and other challenges can’t find the specialist support they need.

“Some children cite the exam factory approach to education as one of the reasons they experience high levels of stress.

“In order to support children’s mental health effectively, the Government should review the role of high-stakes testing in connection to children’s mental health and wellbeing.”

Introducing the scheme, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Teachers already provide outstanding pastoral care and support for their pupils, but many have said that they would appreciate more training on how to understand and respond to mental health issues.

“We know that identifying symptoms of mental illness early can help young people on the road to recovery.

“This training will mean more children receive the timely and sensitive support they need to stay well.”