West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has offered her backing to a Government initiative to improve mental healthcare provision across the UK. The Government has marked World Mental Health with new funding worth up to £1.8 million to help the phone helpline run by the Samaritans. And a new Government Minister has also been appointed to focus on mental health issues and suicide prevention and look at how the latest technology can be used to identify those most at risk. Recruitment has now begun for new mental health support teams who will work with schools to ensure young people with mental health issues get the help they need – trainees will begin studying in January and join schools across England next year. Harriett commented: “The UK suicide rate is at its lowest level since records began in 1981, but there’s more to do as one life lost to suicide is too many. “I stay in regular contact both with local schools and the local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams to identify ways that we can best help people will mental health issues. “Factors like peer pressure and social media place huge pressures on young people and we must do all we can to help them when they need it most. “We owe it to everyone to put mental and physical health on an equal footing, to try and eradicate the apathy towards mental health once and for all, and help policy makers and leaders to put mental health at the forefront of their minds. “The Government has made parity of care a priority for our long-term plan for the NHS. As a result, our record investment in the NHS will mean record investment in mental health.”