PM's mental health prevention plan overlooks austerity and our exam factory culture

Teachers have welcomed Theresa May’s plans to “overhaul society’s approach to mental illness” but have warned that she is overlooking the impact of funding cuts on schools and wider services such as CAMHS.

At the heart of Ms May’s new prevention plan, which was unveiled earlier this month, is giving frontline professionals the “confidence and skills” to identify mental health issues before they become critical, particularly in young people.

This is to include training for all new teachers on how to spot the signs of mental health issues and updated statutory guidance to make clear schools’ responsibilities to protect children’s mental wellbeing.

She has promised support for school mental health leads to help children struggling with self-harm and risk of suicide and the publication of teaching and training materials for schools.