SPECIALIST mental health support for children will be rolled out across Wiltshire and see experts go into schools to give advice and support.

Exam stress, low mood and friendship difficulties will all be tackled to help young people as they navigate school.

NHS England’s Mental Health Support Team (MHST) Trailblazer scheme was first run in Swindon and will now stretch across the whole county.

At total of £9.3m has been invested into the programme, which will launch in Wiltshire at the start of 2020.

One in nine young people aged five to 15 had a diagnosable mental health condition in 2017.

Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Bath & North East Somerset CCG joined forces to bid in the second phase of the programme.

Wiltshire Council cabinet member for children, Pauline Church said: “Now more than ever young people are under pressure, stress and social anxiety can cause real problems which affect their wellbeing and mental health.

“We know there is some excellent support out there already. This Trailblazer programme will build on that and provide even more support, earlier and where young people tell us that they want to receive it – in schools. The programme will help young people to improve their emotional health and wellbeing and get back on track.

Lucy Baker, acting commissioning director for maternity, children and mental health at Wiltshire CCG said: “It’s fantastic news that we’ve received funding for this important scheme. We know children, young people, their parents, supporters and carers want to be able to access mental health services quickly and easily and the Trailblazer scheme is a significant step forward in enabling that to happen.”