Sussex is set to see a significant increase in mental health and emotional wellbeing support for children and young people as the successful Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in schools expand.
In a collaborative effort between the NHS and local authorities, MHSTs help pupils with mild to moderate mental health issues, including sleep difficulties, poor eating patterns, low mood, depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety.
These teams not only provide direct support to pupils but also offer guidance to school staff and connect with external specialist services to ensure children and young people receive appropriate support and remain in education.
Currently, Sussex boasts the most active MHSTs in the Southeast, supporting the largest number of families and schools both in and outside the classroom. There are presently 17 MHSTs in Sussex, assisting a total of 257 schools and reaching 233,657 children and young people.
Starting in September 2024, efforts to expand these teams across Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, and West Sussex will increase their coverage to 65 percent of Sussex schools.
Beyond individual and small group sessions with pupils, MHSTs also conduct workshops for parents and carers, and promote a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. This holistic strategy aims to protect and enhance the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people for the future.
This expansion is a crucial component of the “Foundations for Our Future Children and Young People Mental Health Strategy 2022 – 2027.”
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