"One in 10 children has a diagnosable mental health condition. And we know that if low level problems are not tackled early on they can lead to more significant problems later on in life. Given that over half of mental health problems start by the age of fourteen it is vital that we do all we can to support young people from an early age.
"Earlier this year the Education Select Committee, of which I am a member, held an inquiry into looked after children. We recommended that the interface between schools and health services needed to be strengthened to ensure that teachers and schools were better equipped to identify, assess and support children and young people with mental health difficulties but that schools must not be relied upon to provide specialist care and treatment.
"This week the Prime Minister has rightly recognised the importance of supporting children with mental health problems early on. She announced the first steps in a plan to transform the way we deal with mental illness in this country at every stage of a person’s life: not in our hospitals, but in our classrooms, at work and in our communities.
"In her speech on Monday at the Charity Commission, Mrs May announced that every secondary school will be offered mental health first aid training - which teaches people how to identify symptoms and help people who may be developing a mental health issue. She further announced trials on strengthening links between schools and NHS specialist staff, including a review of children and adolescent services across the country. And promised an extra £15m for community care.
"These are important steps in a complex but important area and the Prime Minister’s position recognising and supporting mental health is extremely welcome."