Local MP, Selaine Saxby has welcomed new funding for a new Early Support Hub in North Devon as part of the Government’s long term plan to transform mental health support for children and young people.
A total of 24 Early Support Hubs across the country will receive a share of almost £8 million for 2024-25 to support thousands of children and young people to receive earlier, open access mental health interventions in their local community.
The drop in hubs, which were successfully trialled in October 2023, provide a space for anyone aged 11-25 to go when problems first emerge, helping to prevent more severe or enduring mental health conditions from developing. Support offered include psychological therapies, specialist advice and wider issues which may affect a young person’s mental health, including sexual health, exam worries, jobs, drugs, alcohol and financial worries.
Around 70 Early Support Hubs currently exist across the country, which are run by a range of local services including volunteer organisations, NHS Trusts and local authorities.
Mental health support teams are also being rolled out to schools and colleges in England to support early interventions for young people. Around 400 mental health support teams are currently in place and coverage will increase to at least 50 per cent of pupils in England by the end of March 2025.
Selaine said:
“Investment in NHS mental health services continues to increase each year, with an additional £2.3 billion a year helping to expand and transform services so an extra 2 million people can get mental health support, including an extra 345,000 children and young people.
“This is in addition to £795 million announced in the Autumn Statement 2023 to address the root causes of mental health problems over the next five years – including expanding talking therapies and other services to reach an additional 500,000 adults and children.
“Children and young people can be under huge pressures, especially with the growth of social media, so I am really pleased that Young Devon have been asked to run this new hub to help ensure young people in North Devon have a place to go if they are struggling with stress or anxiety.
“Every child deserves to live a happy and healthy life, and the Government continues to deliver essential investment in mental health services to offer everyone the support they need to have a brighter future.”
Mental Health Minister, Maria Caulfield MP said:
“This government is taking the long-term decisions needed to make our healthcare system faster, simpler and fairer. Mental health support for our young people is a key part of that.
“No child or young person should suffer alone, and this additional funding for 24 mental health hubs will improve access and bring in more staff and experts who can help those who need it the most.
“This will build on the brilliant work they already do, and supports our ongoing work to make sure every person has access the highest quality mental health services.”
