More young people in Lancashire and South Cumbria who are struggling with their mental health are set to benefit from a new school-based mental health support team (MHST).

The announcement comes during Anti-Bullying Week (14-18 November) which this year will encourage everyone to come together and reach out to stop others bullying.

The new MHST, which will cover secondary schools in Lancaster and parts of South Cumbria, will support schools to provide safe and supportive environments to encourage pupils to reach out and unite against bullying.

Helen Rimmer, children and young people’s mental health lead at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (the organisation that plans and buys health services in the region), said: “To be able to introduce another mental health support team in Lancashire and South Cumbria is just fantastic. Now more than ever we know our young people are facing pressures at home, at school and online which can have a negative impact on their mental health.

“To be able to offer this kind of support in schools is invaluable. We want to support our young people to get the best out of their education and to enjoy these significant years in their life. And most importantly, by supporting them with their mental health now, we hope to reduce the chance of them developing more serious mental health issues later in life.”

This is the third MHST in the Morecambe Bay area and the 17th across the whole of Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The teams support those who are experiencing emotional or wellbeing issues such as low-level anxiety, low mood or friendship or behavioural difficulties, to ensure they don’t escalate to more serious mental health issues.

They work with pupils either face to face or in groups. They also give advice to school staff and parents to help children get the right support and remain in education. Where necessary, the teams will work alongside specialist services.

The new MHST is undertaking a year of training, including casework within some schools, before it will become fully operational by October 2023.

For more information about MHSTs across Lancashire and South Cumbria, please visit Children and Young People :: Mental health support in schools and colleges (healthierlsc.co.uk)

For more information about Anti-Bullying Week please visit https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/anti-bullying-week-2022-toolkit/