6. 5. Statement: ‘Together for Mental Health’

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:31 pm on 11 October 2016.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 4:31, 11 October 2016

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement today. One of the things that I noted in the report and very much welcome is an increased focus on prevention and general health, mental health and well-being. I wonder to what extent you’ve considered the opportunities to introduce mindfulness into our schools across Wales. You’ll be aware that there’s been a fantastic project, which is being led by Pen y Bryn school in my own constituency in the town of Colwyn Bay, where they’ve been using mindfulness in that school. It’s built up tremendous resilience amongst the pupils there to be able to cope with the day-to-day pressures of school life and, indeed, gives them that resilience, which they can then take on into their high school education and even further. I note that there is a reference to mindfulness in the plan. I’m very pleased to see that. It’s the first time that it’s appeared. But, I wonder to what extent that’s going to be delivered and how it’s going to be delivered to people of all ages. We’ve heard about the pressures on CAMHS in particular. This, I believe, is an opportunity for us to seize the moment and do something in particular around mindfulness in our schools.