SWINDON’S MPs have joined local schools in welcoming new measures to provide greater mental health support for pupils.

The Prime Minister made the announcements earlier this week as part of a drive to put the provision of mental health care on an equal footing with conventional services.

The plans could see new support mechanisms introduced for every secondary school in Swindon.

Each school will be offered mental health first aid training and help to tackle the stigma which persists, in particular among young people, despite efforts to combat it.

A review led by specialists in the field will look at how mental wellbeing in the workplace can be improved. Additional support for care in the community is also planned alongside a broadening of the online provision.

Justin Tomlinson, the former minister for disabled people, has welcomed the measures.

In his ministerial role, the North Swindon MP pushed for greater cooperation between the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that those receiving financial support related to ill health or disability were automatically signposted to high quality mental health services.

He said: “For too long there hasn’t been enough focus on mental healthcare in this country, it has been hidden injustice and surrounded by unacceptable stigma, leaving many to suffer in silence. Changing this goes right to the heart of shared values and making sure we live in a country where everyone is supported.

“These new proposals will ensure children and young people in Swindon receive the compassion, care and the treatment they deserve. Mental healthcare will be improved in schools, workplaces and universities and those suffering from mental illness will be able to access the right care for their needs, whilst we tackle the injustices people with mental health problems face.

“This is an opportunity to make sure we are providing attention and treatment for those deserving of compassion and help, striving to improve mental wellbeing and ensure that everyone is supported.”

Mr Tomlinson was joined in his support by his South Swindon counterpart Robert Buckland.

Writing in the Adver this week, he said: “ Having an interest in mental health issues, I am particularly pleased that the Prime Minister announced plans for a mental health care overhaul to deal with the hidden injustice of mental illness.

“There will be more focus on community care with an extra £15m towards this. There will be a strengthening of links between schools and NHS specialist staff, including a review of children and adolescent services across the country.

“Mental health campaigner Lord Stevenson and Paul Farmer, the chief executive of Mind, have been asked to carry out a review on improving support in the workplace and every secondary school in the country will be offered mental health first aid training.

“I was glad that the Prime Minister talked about the need for government to intervene where necessary to help tackle injustice and unfairness and nurture a new sense of solidarity and citizenship in Britain.”