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UK Parliament

Youth Select Committee announcement

23 June 2015 (updated on 23 June 2015)

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Following its call for written evidence in March, the Youth Select Committee will be hearing oral testimonies from a range of witnesses during two days of evidence on 26 June and 3 July.

The inquiry will investigate issues surrounding mental health and young people, with the committee examining evidence from a range of experts on topics including teaching on mental health in schools, preventing stigma and discrimination and the quality of information available online. The Committee will also look into whether changes to the provision of mental health services are needed, and what improvements could be made.

A range of witnesses will give evidence on this topical issue over the two days, including Government Ministers, representatives from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, teachers and young people. Celebrity ambassador for the charity MIND, Anna Williamson, will also give evidence based on her own experiences.

As part of its enquiry, the Youth Select Committee will also be visiting an NHS Mental Health service provision centre in London.

Evidence Session - Friday 26 June

 Time

Panel 1 – National Bodies

  • British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists
  • Youth Access
 9.30am

Panel 2 – Education – Schools and Teachers

  • Oldham Hulme Grammar School
  • Janet Chandler, Teacher
  • PSHE Association
 10.30am

Panel 3 – National Bodies

  • Healthwatch
  • Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences and School of Psychology
  • University Mental Health Advisors Network
 11.30am

Panel 4 – Young people

  • Newham Youth Councillor
  • MYP (Member of Youth Parliament)
  • Oldham Youth Councillor
  • North Tyneside Health and Wellbeing Board
 1.30pm

Panel 5 – Supportive Individuals

  • Anna Williamson, Ambassador for MIND
 2.30pm

Evidence Session - Friday 3 July

Time

Panel 1 – Practitioners

  • School and Public Health Nurses Association
  • Heads Together (YMCA East Surrey)
 9.30am

Panel 2 – Young People

  • NHS England Youth Forum
  • Herts1125
 10.30am

Panel 3 – Charities

  • Ditch the Label
  • Mental Health Foundation
  • Time to Change
  • Young Minds
 11.30am

Panel 4 – National Health Service and Department of Health

  • NHS England
 2pm

Government Ministers

  • Sam Gyimah MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Childcare and Education
  • Ann Gross, Director of Special Needs, Children in Care and Adoption, Department of Education
  • Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, Minister for Community and Social Care
  • Flora Goldhill, Director, Children, Families and Communities, Department of Health
 4pm

Background

The Youth Select Committee (YSC) is a British Youth Council initiative, supported by the House of Commons. The eleven committee members are aged 13-18 and include Members of the Youth Parliament, Youth Councillors, a Youth Mayor and representatives from each of the devolved nations.

‘Mental Health’ was chosen as the priority campaign of the UK Youth Parliament at its annual House of Commons debate in November 2014.

Further information

The sessions will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis. For meetings in Portcullis House, the entrance is located on Victoria Embankment. There is no system for the prior reservation of seats in Committee Rooms. It is advisable to allow 30 minutes to pass through security checks. Committee rooms and the timing of meetings are subject to change.

Those interested in attending the session should check the venue by contacting the House of Commons Public Information Office on 020 7219 4272 on the day before the hearing.

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