MP: 'Put mental health on school curriculum'

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has backed a charity's call for mental health lessons to be on the timetable in every secondary school in the UK.

A report released late last week called "Alone with my thoughts", released by MindFull.org, a part of the Beat Bullying group, was based on the experiences of more than 2,000 16- to 25-year-olds across Britain. The results of the report were shocking.

It revealed that nearly one in three children in Britain have contemplated suicide by the age of 16.

Stress over exams, fear of failure and concern about body image are just some of the pressures harming teenagers' mental health, the major survey discovered. The research showed that 32 per cent of young Britons have had suicidal thoughts, while a similar proportion (29 per cent) of young adults deliberately harmed themselves as teenagers. More than one in 10 (12 per cent) felt a failure almost every day when they were under 16.

Issues around anxiety, stress and body image lead to poor emotional wellbeing, leaving children less able to cope. Unchecked, this can spiral into acute, long-term mental illness, says the report

And the problem was compounded as a taboo surrounding discussing mental health issues prevented many teenagers seeking help, the report found. It called for more services to be provided to prevent a generation falling victim to suicide and self-harm.

Tim is asking that mental health issues be given a greater emphasis especially in PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) classes.

Tim said; "This really is a major issue that politicians have ducked for many years. The results of this report have actually shocked me. I will be writing to Michael Gove and asking him to make sure mental health issues are put into the curriculum and that the government acts to deal with this issue. Children in Cumbria and throughout the UK need to be supported and I think mental health should treated as the same level as physical health."