Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Dan Jarvis Excerpts
Monday 4th July 2022

(1 year, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michelle Donelan Portrait Michelle Donelan
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My hon. Friend has done an exceptional job of caring for his Watford constituents’ mental health, and I am sure that all hon. Members can get behind and copy his first aider programme. Bullying can have long-term effects on mental health. Between 2021 and 2023, the Department is providing more than £2 million to organisations, including the Diana Award, to support schools to tackle bullying.

Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab)
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One in six kids in my constituency struggles with their mental health; it is a deeply concerning situation. What plans does the Minister have to increase specialist mental healthcare support in every school, so that all kids in my constituency have access to the support that they need?

Michelle Donelan Portrait Michelle Donelan
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The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that this agenda is incredibly important, and the Government care passionately about it. As a ministerial team, we are focused on supporting mental health and wellbeing. We are funding training for senior mental health leads in two thirds of state schools and colleges by March 2023 and in all by 2025.