World Mental Health Day: Shaping a Brighter Future for Children’s Wellbeing

As we celebrate World Mental Health Day, we want to update you on the Together Trust campaigns team’s priorities for improving mental health support, and the key commitments the government has made.

In response to the Major Conditions Strategy (June 2023), we urged the government to create a dedicated mental health strategy for children in care and care-experienced individuals, and to address the risk factors that contribute to poor mental health.

The Labour government has since made significant commitments to tackle the broader determinants of mental health. This includes developing a Child Poverty Strategy, led by a new ministerial taskforce co-chaired by the Work & Pensions Secretary and the Education Secretary.

We were also encouraged by the announcement of the Children’s Wellbeing Bill in the 2024 King’s Speech. This upcoming legislation aims to place children's wellbeing at the core of both education and social care, ensuring that every child is safe, healthy, happy, and treated fairly. As the Bill is still in its early stages, we have an opportunity to influence its development.

Additionally, through our SENDIASS services in Stockport and Tameside, we have seen a rise in enquiries related to Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). With schools and CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) overwhelmed by the demand, waiting lists for support continue to grow. In response, we are in the process of developing a project in relation to this issue.

Stay updated on our work, including this new project, by visiting our website or signing up for our campaign emails.

Together, we can ensure every child has access to the mental health support they deserve.