ENHANCED mental health and wellbeing support will soon be available in schools across Wirral after an NHS funding boost.

As part of NHS England's national investment into young people's mental health services, a partnership between local mental health provider CWP and Wirral Health and Care Commissioning (including education) has been successful in a bid for additional funding to develop new Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs).

The programme includes just under a £1million funding invested into local mental health provision and aims for Wirral MHSTs to be established by September next year in pilot schools.

The teams will offer advice and early intervention on mild to moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing issues, such as anxiety, behavioural difficulties or friendship issues, as well as providing help to staff within a school and college setting.

They will act as a link with local children and young people’s mental health services and be supervised by NHS staff.

Sheena Cumiskey, CWP's chief executive, said: "I'm delighted that, together with our local partners, we've been able to secure additional funding to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people in our communities.

"We know that 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14, and a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan is embedding mental health support in schools and colleges.

"It's wonderful to see health and education experts coming together to ensure our young people can receive the right support in the right place at the right time."

Simon Banks, chief officer of Wirral Health and Care Commissioning said: "A key part of Wirral's approach to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people is to build resilience and address mental health concerns before they become severe.

"The investment in Mental Health Support Teams in schools will enable more children to receive support and will help prevent mental health problems developing.

"This collaboration between schools, local authority and the NHS is a great example of Wirral's focus on joint-working between agencies and reflects the wider partnership approach of Wirral Health & Care Commissioning."