Merton Pupils To Benefit From £4m Boost To School-Based Mental Health Services

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Funding will mean 81,000 children in South West London will receive help

 

With children living in such a pressurised world it’s becoming increasingly important to look after their mental health.

A new project for BAME children who have experienced trauma is one that will be started thanks to millions of pounds of new funding.

Schools, councils and the NHS in South West London came together to successfully bid for £4.3m of extra funding for mental health services for young people.

The money, as well as £1.85m received last year will mean health support teams will be able to help 81,000 children, up from 25,000.

Clinical lead for the programme, Wimbledon-based GP Dr Andrew Murray, said: “Working more closely with schools has completely changed the way we look at improving the mental health of our young people.

“The pressures they live with are growing and changing and we have to adapt to support them. I continue to be inspired by the enthusiasm of the schools involved and the dedication to the wellbeing of their pupils.”

The South West London Care and Health Partnership covers Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Kingston, Richmond and Wandsworth.

By Tara O'Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

July 17, 2019