£101K funding approved to boost children’s mental health support in schools
"My Happy Mind” programme to expand into north-east Hampshire after success elsewhere in county
Schools in north-east Hampshire are set to benefit from new mental health support, after Hampshire County Council approved £101,000 in funding for the ‘My Happy Mind’ programme.
The initiative, which has already been running for nine months in other parts of the county, equips teachers, parents and children with tools to support emotional wellbeing, resilience, and early mental health education.
The funding will extend the programme into schools in north-east Hampshire, which have not yet taken part.
“You are never too young to start thinking and talking about mental health,” said Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, executive member for health and wellbeing, during his decision day on July 7. “The benefits of this programme would be many for the children.”
The decision follows growing concern about rising mental health challenges among young people. A 2023 NHS survey found that one in six children aged 5 to 16 were identified as having a probable mental health disorder.
Simon Bryant, the council’s director of public health, added: “This is an effective programme for delivering improvements, and teachers said it empowers them to have effective conversations.”
In most schools, ‘My Happy Mind’ lessons are integrated alongside Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education.