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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what steps his Department is taking to limit (a) suicide and (b) deliberate self-harm in young people; [140654] (2) what steps his Department is taking to raise public awareness of (a) suicide and (b) deliberate self-harm in young people. [140655] Margaret Hodge: The Department for Education and Skills contributes in a number of ways to reducing suicide and deliberate self-harm among young people. This involves minimising so far as possible the risk factors that may lead to suicide or self-harm. We are doing this by ensuring that all children and young people have the support and services they need, and have a structured programme of learning opportunities through which they can develop self-awareness and confidence needed for life. We also seek to raise awareness of these issues. In June 2001 the Department published guidance "Promoting Children's Mental Health within Early Years and School Settings". The guidance and the summary provide useful tools for local education authorities, schools and others who are striving to ensure that the mental health needs of children are met. The guidance includes specific advice on useful approaches to addressing the needs of children and young people who show deliberate self harm or suicidal behaviour. We also encouraged schools to celebrate World Mental Health Day on 10 October. Across England, children with behavioural problems, learning difficulties and those exhibiting anti-social behaviour are receiving the greatest proportion of investment from the Children's Fund. This investment underpins the priority being given to mental health and well-being and to the gains to be made in improving self- esteem and consequentially performance at school. 21 per cent. of Children's Fund services which provided information during April-June 2003 explicitly target children with mental health problems. The Government's proposals in the Children Bill and the other non-legislative measures in the Green Paper "Every Child Matters" will help us build on the support for young people we have already put in place through Sure Start, full service extended schools, CAMHS, the Connexions Service and the PSHE curriculum and anti- bullying measures in schools. Children's Trusts will provide the means to deliver of integrated, multi-agency services to all children and young people in an area. This will enable the provision of high-quality preventive measures and early interventions tailored to help individual children who may already be considering suicide or engaging in self-harm.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

415 c299-300W; 140654;140655

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Advisory services Publicity Mental health Young people Suicide Self-harm

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk