A POSITIVE project to support the mental health of school pupils is now being considered an “essential service” in Dumfries and Galloway.
Councillors have acknowledged the huge impact the Low-Level Mental Health in Schools initiative has had on hundreds of youngsters, supporting them through times of stress and anxiety in their formative years.
One-to-one mental health sessions, and group support work, was provided to secondary and primary pupils across the region again in the 2023-24 term.
This valuable work was made possible thanks to Scottish Government funding, however council officers have revealed there had been a “gap” for years beforehand.
At the council’s education committee last Tuesday, Stranraer and the Rhins Councillor Willie Scobie said: “This has been a very positive initiative.
“But my question is very simple: has this project become an essential service for the kids who really do suffer from mental health problems?
“What would be the effect if we reduced the funding or withdrew the service?”
Mark Molloy, the council’s service manager for young people, responded: “I think it is an essential service in terms of providing young people with low level mental health support because it filled a gap that we were aware of previously going back to six of seven years ago.
“That’s when we set up a pilot project, so we knew we were filling a gap at that point in time, and we’re now delivering on it.
“In terms of the funding of it, the Scottish Government has committed for the duration of this parliament term (until 2026).”
Councillor Scobie replied: “At least we’ve got until 2026 – but then it’s how we look at that and what lobbying we do in terms of keeping this going.”
An evaluation report on the project tabled at the education committee showed that nearly 4000 one-to-one mental health support sessions were provided to pupils at secondary schools in Dumfries and Galloway last term.
Pupils are given weekly support, and many of these students also receive assistance from other agencies.
This project began in August 2020, and continues to have a positive impact in supporting pupils who may be deemed as vulnerable, or struggling mentally due to issues like bereavement or low self-esteem and confidence.
