THE leader of Redditch borough council is to write to the Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening, urging her to make mental health a priority in schools.
It comes after a report on mental health, presented by Councillor Nina Wood-Ford at an executive meeting on Tuesday (April 4) revealed that Redditch had a higher suicide rate for all age groups in 2012-2014 than the national average.
The Mental Health Services For Young People Task Group report also found Redditch had a higher admission rate to hospital for people of all age groups experiencing mental ill health than any other district in the county from 2008 to 2013.
In light of these shock statistics, those who compiled the report proposed a number of recommendations after gathering feedback from those running mental health support groups in Redditch.
Councillors unanimously agreed for Council Leader, Bill Hartnett to write to Ms Greening asking her to ensure that PSHE – Personal, Social, Health and Economic – lessons in schools, including those about mental health and well-being, become a statutory part of the school curriculum.
Coun Bill Hartnett said: “Mental health is something we take very seriously here in Redditch and I would be more than happy to work together with my fellow councillors to compose a letter to Ms Greening.”
Many members also praised the report and supported the idea that education relating to dealing with mental health as well as spreading the word about what support is available was vital.
They unanimously agreed that letting support groups know about funding grants was something to continue making a priority.
