How can Theresa May’s pledges become a practical reality?
I'm delighted to see that Theresa May has announced policies which aim to help people with mental health issues,
particularly children and young people. In
her speech to The Charities Commission earlier
this week, the Prime Minister spoke about this in the context of a shared society, which she views as “one that
doesn’t just value our individual rights but focuses rather more on the
responsibilities we have to one another”.
We need to help people when they are young to be open about mental illness and explore it with friends, teachers and parents. And we need to help adults to be more open and accepting of it, to demystify it as much as possible. It should be completely normal to discuss mental health issues, just as we would talk about a cold or a broken bone.
Bullying can have a significant effect on young people’s mental health and emotional well-being. One of the downsides of the internet is how it enables bullying to be a 24-hour expedience for some. Ironically in this digital age, some people can become cut off, disconnected from those who could help. Social media has become pervasive and an easy channel for some bullies to use.
On the other hand, organisations such as Childline offer valuable online sources of support for young victims of bullying. Via TheMix website, young people can seek support via forums, discussion groups, online chat, email and Twitter as well as over the telephone. Part of the answer to digital bullying can be digital too.
So, I welcome the Prime Minister highlighting the issue of mental health among the young. I look forward to her policy announcement being followed up with funding and resources to create real, practical value.
I'm interested in what you think. If you’d like to share your views, please tweet @SimonJHayward.