Today’s media blog looks at a Stonewall report on LGBT pupils and mental health in schools.
LGBT pupils
Today, 27 June, Stonewall published findings from a report on LGBT bullying in schools, which show anti-LGBT bullying and language has decreased across Britain’s schools since 2012.
This was covered by the Times, Guardian, i Newspaper and BBC Online.
The report reflects the good work of schools in increasing awareness of LGBT issues and cracking down on bullying.
This is backed by our commitment to ensure children are free from being bullied, which is why we have invested £3 million in anti-homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying programme in schools.
A Government spokesperson said:
While it is encouraging to see that anti-LGBT bullying has decreased, we are clear that any form of bullying in schools simply must not be tolerated.
We are committed to ensuring children are free from being bullied because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. That is why we have invested £3 million in to an anti-homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying programme in schools around the country to prevent and address the bullying of LGBT pupils and to educate young people to accept and respect each other’s individuality.
Mental Health
The government announced this morning that £200,000 funding will be spent to help teachers understand and identify mental health issues in children.
From June 2017, teachers in secondary schools around the country will take part in a new training programme, delivered by the charity Mental Health First Aid.
Teachers and other school staff will receive practical advice on how to recognise issues including depression and anxiety, self-harm and eating disorders.
This has been reported by the Press Association.
Prime Minister Theresa May said:
When I stood on the steps of Downing Street on my first day as Prime Minister, I said that the disparity in mental health services was one of the burning injustices our country faces.
Since then we have announced real progress in tackling this unfairness, and this training will make a real difference to children’s lives by ensuring they have access to sensitive and swift support.
Tackling poor mental health is a huge challenge, and we will keep our promises and meet that challenge with the comprehensive cross-society response that is required.
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