HC Deb 24 March 1998 vol 309 cc131-2W
24. Dr. Brand

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to support day centres provided by the voluntary sector for mentally ill patients. [34392]

Mr. Boateng

We support the provision of day centres and have provided the Mental Illness Specific Grant which enables local authorities to fund a wide range of social services for mentally ill people. Many day centres are provided in partnership with the voluntary sector.

27. Mr. Bill Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to improve the mental health of young people. [34395]

Mr. Boateng

The key to improving the mental health of young people is preventing problems from developing in the first place. Good mental health is one of the targets in our public health green paper "Our Healthier Nation". We intend to ensure the development of parenting skills and parent support, foster high quality pre-school education and, within our "healthy schools" initiative, seek to promote emotional and physical well being among young people.