I have reiterated the case for a schools-based counselling approach as the best way to tackling the growing problem of mental ill-health in children. Record pressures on mental health services is causing many sufferers to turn to A&E as a last resort. By this stage issues are significant and complex. It is a wholly ineffective way of dealing with mental health problems. Much earlier intervention is possible and would have significant benefits.

This week I met with Place2Be, a longstanding children’s mental health charity, at their event in Parliament to mark Children’s Mental Health Week. I heard about this year’s theme, “Growing Together”, and discussed the importance of emotional growth.