As we launch the latest phase of the campaign to reduce stigma around mental health among teenagers and their parents, we are pleased to have two of the leading ministers in government responsible for young people’s mental health answer some questions about the #nojudgement campaign and why they think it is so important.
Nicky Morgan is the Secretary of State for Education and has responsibility for the mental health support that young people receive while at school. She has also appointed Sam Gyimah to be the first minister at the Department of Education to have specific responsibility for mental health.
Alistair Burt is the Minister of State in the Department of Health and has overall responsibility for mental health.
Q: Alistair, can you explain yours and the Department of Health’s role in this campaign?
Alistair Burt: I’m the lead minister for mental health. This campaign is the largest of its kind, funded by the Department of Health and part of the wider project to transform young people’s mental health services.
I am proud to support Time to Change and Young Minds in this latest phase of awareness raising, with a greater focus on reducing stigma at a younger age, which we hope will improve understanding and lessen the likelihood of discrimination.
With over 50% of mental health problems starting by age 14, there has never been a greater impetus to start talking earlier.
Q: Nicky, you have appointed Sam Gyimah to be the first minister at the Department of Education to have specific responsibility for mental health. How does this fit within the other priorities across your department?
Nicky Morgan: Reducing the stigma around mental health is absolutely vital in helping children to succeed and be safe. I want to ensure all young people can fulfil their potential, and that we tackle all the barriers that can stop that from becoming a reality. That’s why mental health is one of my own personal priorities, and why it is such an important priority at the Department for Education.
That is also why I appointed Sam in this role. The best schools create a happy, safe and supportive environment for children where they are able to progress and learn, and we want that for all children. Good mental health and attainment are two sides of the same coin, and alongside character and resilience, help young people reach their potential. No child should have to suffer in silence and we know that with the right support, the most vulnerable young people can have the same opportunities as their peers.
Q: How important is the relationship children have with their parents when worries about mental health arise?
NM: We’ve come a long way in tackling stigma and made important progress so that mental health is being discussed much more openly than it used to be, including in school.
We know that there are challenges children face today which didn’t exist when I was young. The internet is a hugely informative and important tool, but it can also bring its own challenges. We know there are issues like online trolling and cyberbullying, which weren’t issues for many parents when they were young.
We still don’t talk about mental health like we do about physical health. It’s got better, but we have to help schools and families. Parents have a huge role to play, and it’s important that they feel able to talk to their children about these challenges. The campaign research indicates that over half of parents in England now find it hard to talk to their children about mental health. To help, we are funding the expansion of the MindEd website to create new resources specifically for parents, which will be available from next April to help them understand the issues and support their children.
AB: All parents recognise just how difficult it can be discussing mental health issues with teenagers. Stigma, misconceptions and denial can take hold early in life leading to intractable and destructive behaviour in adulthood. So yes - talking about mental health can be hard for young people, teachers, parents and carers, but often it’s a vital first step towards greater understanding.
I have heard young people say being on the receiving end of stigma can sometimes feel as bad as the mental illness itself. The sooner young people, parents, educators and everyone who works with young people feel more confident in opening up about this issue; the sooner problems can be shared and resolved.
Q: Do you have a message for young people and parents?
AB: Honesty and openness on both sides go a long way.
Young people have said that being judged unfairly was a primary reason for not feeling able to talk about their struggles with mental health.
That’s why the theme of ‘no judgement’ is so important. If they’re distressed and speak up, we want them to receive only support and understanding, not ridicule.
Likewise, I urge parents to watch both short films on the Time to Change site (both take less than three minutes to view) and find the confidence to begin conversations with their families.
NM: Don’t be afraid of the issues and find out more.
The information in this campaign is a great start and way in. Time to Change and Young Minds have a lot of expertise in this area. The materials on MindEd can also help professionals develop their knowledge further and will soon do the same job for parents.