by Thousands of young people who may not meet the threshold for NHS mental health care will be offered more support, officials have said.
Early support hubs for children and young adults are to expand to recruit counsellors, youth workers and other specialists to help support children with mental health problems.
There are around 60 hubs across the country offering mental health support and advice to people aged 11 to 25.
People do not need to be referred to the hubs and can use them on a one-off basis.
Services offered include counselling, psychological therapies, group work, specialist advice and information signaling and other services.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said thousands more young people will benefit from support thanks to a £4.92m investment from the Government.
Mental Health Minister Maria Caulfield said: “To parents across the nation – I want to reassure you that we are working to get your children this vital early support.
“Our funding will help the hubs to hire counsellors, youth workers and other local experts. An extra £2.3 billion a year is being added to transform NHS mental health services and help millions of people.”
The DHSC said young people going through the trauma of worry, anxiety or stress will have a natural place to go when their problems first arise.
It said existing hubs are run by a range of local agencies, including voluntary organisations, NHS trusts and local authorities.
The department said the extra cash, which is on top of the £2.3bn previously announced, would allow 10 existing hubs to expand their current services locally and employ new staff such as advisers or caseworkers. young people.
The Government's ambassador for youth mental health, Dr Alex George, said: “Early intervention in mental health is of the utmost importance and today's announcement of additional funding for early support hubs across the country is a milestone to be celebrated.” .
There is clear evidence that early support hubs are working and will make a huge difference to young people struggling with their mental health
Olly Parker, YoungMinds
Olly Parker, head of external affairs at the charity YoungMinds, welcomed the investment, adding: “This recognizes the vital role these community services play in providing young people with mental health support and advice.
“Early intervention services are desperately needed across the country.
“There is clear evidence that early support hubs are working and will make a huge difference to young people struggling with their mental health.
“We see this as a step in the right direction, but we want to see a commitment to full rollout nationwide. Young people can't wait any longer, it's time for the government to stop waiting.”
