Place2Be conference unites sector leaders around a mission to improve children's mental health

Hosted by partners at UBS, Place2Be presented an important conference earlier this week to bring together school leaders, commissioners, funders and mental health experts.

The event, “Let’s Move From Treatment to Prevention: Schools at the heart of effective community-based mental health delivery”, identified how our sector can work together to ensure every child can easily access the right support in school.

Across several sessions, panellists shared their insight and expertise. Topics included:

• how we create a system that delivers effective mental health intervention and prevention
• the long-term benefits of investing in mental health support
• how the right support in a child’s life can enable them to thrive
• communities who collaborate to build a place-based approach.

In recent weeks, the Government has pledged to roll-out Mental Health Support Teams to every school and college in England. They have also published the 10 Year Health Plan, committing to extending neighbourhood health centres and hubs to tackle mental health in the community.

With the Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and help children to achieve and thrive, this timely event considered how schools, NHS and third sector organisations like Place2Be can help to deliver this.

Speakers discussed the important role of schools in reaching more young people, not only to provide support that reduces mental health difficulties, but also in boosting children’s overall wellbeing. This prevents mental health issues, giving children the coping skills to thrive.

At the event, we heard exclusive new data from Pro Bono Economics, that showed this approach improves children’s GCSE scores, which can have lifelong benefits.