MENTAL health workers could be based in all of Oxfordshire’s secondary schools within two years.

Currently the project, launched by Oxford Health NHS Foundation and Oxford University, sees staff spend half a day each week at three schools.

But it is hoped the scheme could be rolled out to many more.

Employes from the trust’s primary child and adolescent mental health services (PCAMHS), will spend time consulting with staff about which children could benefit from receiving additional support.

Our top stories

They will also see children directly at the school – on a one-to-one basis.

It follows concern raised by England’s chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies’s last month that not enough children are accessing mental health services.

She said half of adult mental illness starts before the age of 15 and 75 per cent by the age of 18.

Dr Mina Fazel, from the University of Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry, is behind the programme.

She said: “We are trying to address the fact that mental health services exist but many children don’t access them, whether there’s a stigma attached or they’re fearful.

“The same workers will go to the same schools each week and become recognisable, predictable and part of the fabric as much as is possible. We want to address some of the accessibility issues.”

The scheme was first introduced at the end of the summer term and is being rolled out in six more schools in the new year.

Currently three of Oxford’s schools are taking part in the scheme and Oxford Health hopes all state-funded secondary schools will be involved with two years.

The Cherwell School in Oxford is one of the first to pilot the project.

Paul James, headteacher of the Cherwell School in Marston Ferry Road, said: “Mental health problems can cause great difficulties for young people and their families, impacting many areas of their lives.

“With this initiative launched by Oxford Health NHS Trust, and working with Dr Fazel and her team, we now have a mental health professional working onsite and more closely with staff and students.

“As such it is much easier for young people to get the help they need more quickly.

“While it is still early days for this approach, my colleagues report that it is already providing benefits for students who need this support.”

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.