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News 2020

29/03/2020 – Government Launches £5M Package to Boost Mental Health Support

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge launched a scheme today to support mental health at a time of high anxiety during the coronavirus lockdown.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8164025/Kate-William-launch-5million-scheme-support-Britains-mental-health.html

They urge people to follow guidance from Public Health England by using video calls to keep in touch with family and friends, sticking to regular routines, and focusing on favourite hobbies or learning something new.

Helen Clark, Lead Author of APPG Working Group Reports, comments:

This is obviously good news and will be most widely welcomed,  but the mental health needs of children  are urgent, clearly distinct from those of the adult population and need specific attention in their own right.

The Child Mental Health Charter Campaign that arose from material highlighted in Reports published by the APPG on A Fit and Healthy Childhood has been urging the Government to make children’s needs central to the promised reform of the 1983 Mental Health Act. In this unprecedented time of crisis  those needs are not about to disappear. I look forward to hearing what measures the Government proposes to introduce to safeguard the mental health of children in the Covid 19 pandemic – and what help it will offer to them, their families and those who care for them and work professionally with them. Children really should be centre stage – not relegated to the margins at this time of National Emergency.