TO mark Children’s Mental Health Week 2022, Craig Hoy MSP has met with Place2Be, a leading children’s mental health charity providing support in schools across Scotland.
Mr Hoy, who is Scotland’s Shadow Mental Health and Social Care Minister, also met with representatives from the charity at an online meeting to discuss mental health support in Scottish schools and the impact of parental mental health and wellbeing on children.
Place2Be launched the first ever Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 to shine a spotlight on the importance of supporting children and young people’s mental health.
2022 marked the eighth year of the awareness week and this year's theme, Growing Together, explored the importance of emotional growth and finding ways to help each other grow.
The campaign is supported by HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, who is Place2Be’s Royal Patron.
As one in six children now have a diagnosable mental health issue, the event was a vital opportunity to learn about Place2Be’s important work and to discuss what more can be done to address this growing need.
Place2Be offer online guidance for parent’s to learn about the best ways of supporting their children’s well-being and mental health at: http://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk
Mr Hoy commented on the event by saying: “Research has found that 50% of those with lifetime mental health problems experience symptoms by the age of 14.
“That’s why it is vital for parents, guardians and teachers to able to identify the symptoms of mental health problems in children from an early age and stay informed of what they can do to support their child’s mental health and well-being.
“I have been working with the team at Place2Be Scotland who have been doing a fantastic job of raising awareness about the need for accessible and direct mental health support from an early age and letting parents know what they can do to support their child’s mental health from an early age. I look forward to working with them over in the years ahead.”
Sahir Permall, Director for Place2Be in Scotland said: “It was fantastic to welcome so many MSPs to our event and inform them about the work we do to improve children’s mental health. It is vital that we all work to address the stigma and to increase understanding of the importance of supporting and addressing mental health from an early age, to avoid problems escalating in adulthood. ”
You can find out more at childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk
