Mental health of children is a crucial issue, Miliband warns

The Labour leader said three children in every classroom have a mental health problem, but schemes providing counselling and support had been downgraded.

Acknowledging that politicians had not taken mental health seriously enough in the past, he said a Labour government would give NHS patients the same rights to psychological talking therapies as they currently have for drugs and medical treatment.

Writing in the Sunday Express, he said mental health was a “crucial issue” for schools.

“Children face new pressures growing up in Britain today, from internet bullying to other stresses and strains that they carry with them from the home. Three children in every classroom have a mental health problem, many more struggle with stress that if left unaddressed could become something more serious.”

But he said most children with mental health problems get no treatment and ministers had described mental health support in schools as “peripheral” and “ghastly”.

He added: “I believe it essential that all young people are equipped with the skills and resilience needed to cope. I want the NHS, local authorities and schools to collaborate to ensure that all young people can access counselling when needed.”

He said government, the NHS, businesses, schools, media and charities all had a role to play in tackling mental illness. “Dealing with the challenge of mental health requires a One Nation solution,” he said.

Mr Miliband said mental health should be near the top of the agenda for Whitehall but “for too long leading politicians from all parties, including mine, have maintained an almost complete silence” on the issue.