School pupils in Nottinghamshire who are struggling with mental health issues will benefit from a new support service.
Mental Health Support Teams will be available to pupils in Rushcliffe and Gedling from December 2019 as part of the scheme.
This means they will have access to help from NHS trained staff earlier and within their school environment.
Local NHS commissioners and Nottinghamshire County Council have received pilot funding for 42 schools initially - which will be the the first for Nottinghamshire.
The teams will be staffed by mental health professionals from Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) services.
They will work alongside pupils with mild to moderate emotional, mental health and wellbeing problems.
The teams will be operational by December 2019, and will include cognitive behavioural therapy therapists, education mental health practitioners and administrators.
They will also help young people with more severe needs to access the right support.
Dr James Hopkinson, a Gedling GP and the Nottingham North and East Clinical Commissioning Group’s clinical lead, said: “This scheme is a great opportunity to focus on early intervention.
“We know young people and their parents and carers want to be able to access mental health services quickly and that the earlier mental health problems are identified the better the health outcomes.
“Issues like exam stress, low mood and friendship difficulties will all be tackled to help young people as they navigate school.
"Having mental health support teams in schools will provide additional support for well-being and mental health directly to children and young people and offer an easier and more familiar setting for them to access care when they need it.”
Councillor Philip Owen, chairman of children and young people’s committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, added: “Schools play a vital role in identifying mental health needs and building resilience in young people, so we believe these teams will enhance the support already in place.
“The mental health support teams will work with children, young people and their parents and carers to help them access the right support and provide a link to specialist NHS services.
"They will also offer one to one and group interventions for those experiencing anxiety, low mood, friendship difficulties and behavioural difficulties.”
Dr Julie Attfield, executive director for mental health with Nottinghamshire Healthcare said: “Any additional investment into the mental wellbeing of young people has to be celebrated. I am delighted that this support is being extended to enable more young people to benefit.”
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