A LEIGH Conservative has welcomed new measures to transform mental health care for children and young people.

Every secondary school will be offered mental health first aid training to increase awareness around mental health and help to tackle the unacceptable stigma around the issue.

New proposals will outline how mental health services for schools, universities and families can be improved so that everyone in the community is supported, at every stage of life.

Children and adolescent mental health services will also be reviewed.

It is hoped that this will help to identify what is already working and what can be improved so more children and young people get the mental healthcare they need.

An expert review is to be carried out to assess mental wellbeing in the workplace so employees receive more care.

There will be more support in the community so everyone in need can access the best support for their needs, more online services will be provided and the system will be made fairer for people suffering from mental health problems.

Richard Short, Leigh Conservative and chairman of the Wigan Borough Conservatives Federation, said: “As someone who went to school in Leigh I am especially pleased to see this help be offered to schools in our constituency.

“For too long there hasn’t been enough focus on mental healthcare in this country – it has been a hidden injustice and surrounded by unacceptable stigma, leaving many to suffer in silence.

“Changing this goes right to the heart of shared values and making sure we live in a country where everyone is supported.

“These new proposals will ensure children and young people in Leigh, Astley, Tyldesley and Lowton receive the compassion, care and treatment they deserve.

“Mental healthcare will be improved in schools, workplaces and universities and those suffering from mental illness will be able to access the right care for their needs, while we tackle the injustices people with mental health problems face.

“This is an opportunity to make sure we are providing attention and treatment for those deserving of compassion and help, striving to improve mental wellbeing and ensure that everyone is supported.”