ON THE EDGE PROGRAMME AND MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
- Session: 2007-08
- Date tabled: 06.11.2007
- Primary sponsor:
- Sponsors:
That this House recognises that serious mental illness in young people can have life-long consequences and the current pattern of delayed first contact with health professionals is a major public health concern; notes that developing a national network of early intervention services for young people experiencing a first episode of psychosis has been a key goal in modernising mental health services in England and remains a key commissioning priority; further notes that although there is evidence that early intervention services produce better outcomes, there is little evidence that they are intervening sufficiently early or fulfilling their stated aim of reducing the stigma associated with psychosis and improving professional and lay awareness; understands that international examples of successful early intervention across communities have depended on extensive, sustained and focused health education programmes; recognises the international standard that every 15 year old should be equipped by mainstream schooling to know how to cope with psychoses but regrets that neither teachers nor early intervention teams have so far developed the capacity, materials or models to fulfil this ambition; welcomes the development of On the Edge, an award-winning mental health education programme for schools based on interactive drama supported by the National Director for Mental Health and Royal College of Psychiatrists; and calls upon the Government to positively support such innovative mental health education programmes for schools and colleges as a means of ensuring that schools are equipped to work with their local early intervention team to promote mental well-being.