§ Mr. HendryTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance his Department issues to(a) schools and teachers and (b) the Connexions Service on depression in children and young people. [134040]
§ Margaret HodgeThe Government are committed to promoting mental health of children and young people within schools. In June 2001, the DfES published guidance, "Promoting Children's Mental Health within Early Years and Schools Settings". The guidance is designed to help teachers and others, working alongside mental health professionals, to promote mental health and to intervene effectively with children experiencing problems. The guidance offers advice on specific mental health problems an. d useful approaches that schools can take. This includes emotional disorders such as depression.
The Connexions Service National Unit issued guidance, "Making a Difference—Emerging Practice—Connexions and Mental Health Services", to Connexions Partnerships in March 2003 about supporting young people with mental health problems.