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A framework for children’s and young people’s mental health was launched by deputy health minister Lewis McDonald yesterday at a conference in Edinburgh.

McDonald stressed that it was vital to ensure children and young people could access “consistent, high quality care and support” wherever they lived and said the framework set out an integrated approach for agencies working with young people.

“We are committed to improving the health of our nation. We know this cannot be achieved simply by improving physical health, which is why improving mental health is a priority for us,” he told the conference.

The minister acknowledged that implementing the framework would be challenging and that the executive would need to support local agencies through the changes necessary to meet the framework.

Funding of £1 million was therefore announced over two years to support the transformation.

The executive launched a consultation last December on the theme of the framework for promotion and prevention and care for children’s mental health,

The executive’s National Programme has four main aims:-

• Raise awareness and promote positive mental health and wellbeing

• Eliminate stigma and discrimination in relation to mental health problems

• Prevent suicide and support people bereaved by suicide

• Promote nand support recovery.