4. Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Supporting mental well-being in education

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:55 pm on 12 October 2021.

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Photo of Jane Dodds Jane Dodds Liberal Democrat 3:55, 12 October 2021

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I also put on record, on behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, our best wishes to Andrew R.T. Davies in his recovery and thank him for his very bold and clear statements in terms of his mental health?

Minister, I'd like to thank you for bringing forward this very important debate and issue. The mental well-being of our children and young people is so important, and I'm pleased that the Welsh Government are continuing with this whole-school approach to mental well-being, which is integral to the new curriculum, as developed by your predecessor, Welsh Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams. So, thank you very much for profiling this this afternoon.

I'd just like to highlight the issue around cross-cutting work, because 60 per cent of children and young people attempting to access specialist mental health services through CAMHS are waiting four weeks or more for their first appointment as of July 2021. There's been an increase to CAMHS services of around 350 per cent on the previous year's figures. So, my question and issue really are around how we can work across both health and education to ensure that there is a need to continue to support CAMHS services, but also ensure that children don't fall through the cracks, by making sure that we have adequate whole-school approaches in schools. And, secondly, I wonder if I could ask you what thought you have given to creating a network of mental health support over a 24-hour period, seven days a week for our children and young people. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.