Hunter welcomes cross-border collaboration on children’s mental health

SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter has welcomed cross-border collaboration on children’s mental health.

She questioned Education Minister Paul Givan on the issue in the Assembly this week during a discussion on the recent North South Ministerial Council Education Sector meeting.

East Derry MLA Ms Hunter said:

“I welcome confirmation from the Education Minister today that he is working with his counterparts in the South when it comes to ensuring good mental health in our children. There is much work to be done in this area, especially with the rapidly changing world we live in and it makes sense that we share information and practices right across our small island.

“Ultimately what we need to see is investment and while I understand the Executive faces significant financial pressures, funding is key to making sure we have the right services and support for our young people. Decisions like removing funding for the Happy Healthy Minds programme which helped thousands of young people every year have done considerable damage and left community organisations to make up for political failure.

“Mental health is something people have to manage right throughout their life and it’s important that young people can access help when they need it, with early intervention key in ensuring the best chance of treatment, recovery and condition management. Our schools have an important role to play in equipping young people with the tools to navigate life’s challenges and I will continue to push the Minister to commit to make children’s mental health a priority. It’s time to put our children first.”