Call to roll out service to all county schools

Mental health workers in Devon have said they are urging the government to fund the roll out of a vital service to every school in the county.

The Mental Health Support Team helps students, teachers and parents with issues such as anxiety, exam stress and eating disorders in schools and colleges across England.

Members from the Devon and Torbay team, which covers 125 schools, said they were worried the government could cut or reduce funding.

In response, the Department of Health and Social Care said it was recruiting 8,500 mental health workers and it would provide young people with access to a specialist mental health professional in every school.

The programme offers one-to-one therapy with students, group workshops and training to staff.

Jim Albins, a senior wellbeing practitioner from the Devon and Torbay team, said the programme was "absolutely essential".

"When I was the age the young people I work with are now, I didn't have anything like this and I really struggled," he said.

"Now we are in schools, any young person can access our service and it means we can see them a lot quicker."

Amber, 15, a student at St James School in Exeter, said she started using the service after experiencing trauma.

"I can't thank them enough," she said.

"They have helped me go through my darkest days and now I don't have to worry about talking to anyone."

Holly Billington, lead of the Mental Health Support Team for Devon and Torbay, said ordinarily there would have been an announcement by now in terms of funding.

She said the provision was delivering results and it had been successful because it was well funded.

"We have not had it," she said.

"I am really worried they are going to pull the provision or reduce it and try to cut costs."

The BBC asked the Department of Health and Social Care about future funding arrangements of the project.

A spokesperson said: "Too many children and young people are waiting too long to access the mental health care they need.

"We will recruit 8,500 additional mental health workers, provide young people with access to a specialist mental health professional in every school and a Young Futures hub in every community.

"As part of our Plan for Change, we will get the NHS back on its feet, making it fit for the future."