The UK government has recently announced £5 million in funding for mental health support for young people and children nationwide.

3 minute read

This month, the UK government has confirmed that £5 million in funding has been allocated to mental health support for young people and children.

The funding will go towards ten hubs in community locations, which will work as drop-in centres. The drop-in centres will provide immediate support to individuals aged 11 to 25. 

It is shown that around 50% of mental health conditions are established by the time a child reaches the age of 14, making it crucial to have support available at an early age for the child and family.

The Youth Mental Health Ambassador, Dr Alex George, stated, "Early intervention in mental health is paramount, and today's announcement of additional funding for early support hubs across the country is a milestone to be celebrated. No child or young person experiencing trauma should reach crisis point, and nobody should endure the enormous tragedy of losing a loved one to mental illness. We have to make sure the support is there as early as possible."

How will the support hubs benefit those in need?

Sixty early support hubs already exist across the country, and they're run by various services, including local volunteer organisations, NHS trusts, and authorities.

The services offered at these hubs include counselling and advice aimed at preventing the development of long-term mental health issues. They also offer guidance on various topics, such as sexual health, academic stress, work-related matters, substance abuse, and financial concerns.

The funding will allow these hubs to expand their services and recruit additional staff, such as counsellors or youth workers.

Appreciation shown for recent government funding

The "Fund the Hubs" campaign group has expressed appreciation for the government's commitment: "The government's announcement to provide additional support for ten existing early support hubs recognises the vital role these community services play in bringing mental health support and advice to young people." 

Other services aimed at helping the public with mental health-related concerns include the charity YoungMinds, which has plenty of information for parents, including online guides and tips on discussing mental health with their children and teenagers, the Samaritans, and the HOPELINE247, both providing emotional support via phone call, specifically helping with suicide prevention.

Usually, the first steps to ask for mental health support for children and young people include speaking to family members, to someone at school, such as a teacher or a school nurse, or arranging an appointment with the GP. For children up to 5 years of age, it's possible to request the support of a health visitor. These options may sometimes require time, which can delay the support provided.

Efforts to expand mental health support teams in schools are already underway, with the goal of helping more than 50% of the students by March 2025.

Some may question if £5 million is even enough to make a dent. But this initiative surely marks a significant stride toward prioritising mental well-being and creating a more robust support system overall. Moreover, the government's sustained investment in NHS mental health services, which has increased to nearly £16 billion from 2022 to 2023, shows its dedication to supporting the mental well-being of children and young people.