DfE launches ‘MindEd’ mental health website

The Department for Education and Department of Health have launched a new interactive resource, named ‘MindEd’, aimed at offering support to concerned children and families.

The website direct visitors to various sections of the site, which provide expert advice on a number of issues, including: sexual orientation and gender; risky behaviour; eating disorders; and being a parent in the digital age.

The move comes after YoungMinds published research showing that 850,000 children aged 5-16 in the UK are currently living with a mental health issue. Clinicians have also argued that early intervention is vital in identifying and addressing issues before they impact young people’s lives negatively.

Nick Harrop, media and campaigns manager at Young minds, welcomed the arrival of MindEd.

He said: “We know that early intervention is crucial but many local authorities have repeatedly had their budgets slashed on things like social workers, support programmes for parents, educational psychologists and targeted mental health services in schools.

"This has put a huge burden on services further up the chain, which simply can’t cope with the demand. Young people referred to specialised mental health services are now at the mercy of a postcode lottery."

Harrop added: “Family breakdown, stress at school, body image issues, early sexualisation, 24/7 online networking, bullying on and offline and uncertainty about the future after school are all piling on the stress.”