On Wednesday 9 February, Jack Brereton MP attended a drop in event in the Houses of Parliament to mark Children’s Mental Health Week 2022. The event was organized by Place2Be, a charity providing mental health support in schools across the UK.
Place2Be launched the first ever Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. 2022 marks the eighth year of the awareness week and this year's theme, Growing Together, explores the importance of emotional growth and finding ways to help each other grow.
Over 40 Members of Parliament met Place2Be representatives and headteachers in the Jubilee Room to find out more the charity’s work promoting wellbeing within the school community. As one in six children now have a diagnosable mental health issue, the event was a vital opportunity to learn about Place2Be’s important work and to discuss what more can be done to address this growing need.
Sally Etchells Wragg, Lead Organiser of the Place2Be event said:
“It was fantastic to welcome Mr Brereton to our event and inform him about the work we do to improve children’s mental health. We are grateful for the interest and support from Jack and all other MPs who attended”
Speaking following a House of Commons debate on children's mental health, Jack Brereton MP said:
"I was pleased to speak in a House of Commons debate on children's mental health about the work being done to improve mental health services for young people in Stoke-on-Trent.
I made clear that preventative support must start from an early age, and it was particularly good to hear the Minister recognise this and the work being led by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to develop family hubs locally.
I will continue to push for the improvements needed and support our local schools and mental health services to better meet the needs of our young people."
Will Quince, Children and Families Minister said:
“My hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent South (Jack Brereton), a passionate advocate for children and young people in Stoke-on-Trent, has made a compelling case for family hubs and the family hub model and investment in Stoke-on-Trent, and we will no doubt discuss that further down the line.”
You can find out more at childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk
