HC Deb 19 April 2000 vol 348 c567W
Ms Julie Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to raise awareness of mental health issues among school children. [119578]

Jacqui Smith

The National Healthy School Standard (NHSS), which was launched last October, has as one of its specific themes 'Emotional Health and Wellbeing', which will include awareness of mental health issues.

The NHSS will be delivered as an integral part of the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) framework in schools. Over the next two years, through the Standards Fund, £5.7 million each year is being made available by DfEE and DH to LEAs to fund the running of Health Education Partnerships, which in turn should assist schools in the attainment of the National Healthy School Standard. £19,000 (£2.85 million nationwide) was made available to every LEA last year to help set up these partnerships.