Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the mental health and wellbeing of BAME children and young people during the covid-19 outbreak.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are working closely with black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) experts by experience, health professionals, voluntary, community and social enterprise sector partners and others to support rapid knowledge and information sharing to encourage timely access to National Health Service mental health services, and just as importantly, good BAME experiences within those services.

The Government has also provided £9.2 million of additional funding for mental health charities to support adults and children. This includes charities that offer support to BAME communities and charities like Young Minds.

The Government’s £8 million Wellbeing for Education Return programme will support school staff to respond to the emotional and mental health pressures some children and young people may be feeling.