Prime Minister Boris Johnson appoints Dr Alex George as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador during Children’s Mental Health week
After the devastating loss of his younger brother to suicide, Dr Alex George has been a passionate advocate for children’s mental health reform.
Today (Wednesday 3rd February) Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed Dr Alex as a new Youth Mental Health Ambassador.
As a Youth Mental Health Ambassador, Dr Alex will draw from his clinical expertise and personal experience to strengthen policy on mental health education and improve support for young people in schools, colleges and universities.
He will also sit on the new Mental Health in Education Action Group which will look specifically at how we help young people with their wellbeing as they return to school and university after the pandemic.
Children’s Mental Health week
The announcement comes during Children’s Mental Health week.
Dr Alex will work alongside the Department for Education in the voluntary role and will remain independent from the government.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has appointed me as the Ambassador for Mental Health. I will be working with the Government to make mental health a priority, for both current and future generations. Now more than ever we realise how fundamental this is. It’s time for change 💙
— Dr Alex (@DrAlexGeorge) February 3, 2021
Dr Alex said:
“The last year has been unimaginably difficult for all of us, but particularly for young people who have sacrificed so much.
“I am honoured to be appointed for this role where I’ll be working closely with government to make mental health an absolute priority and hope to have a positive impact on the lives of young people and their education for good.
“Right now young people need a voice in government, and I hope that through this role I can advocate for meaningful change in this area.”
Boris Johnson said:
“Children and young people have heroically adapted to save lives and protect our NHS. This has understandably had a huge impact on their mental health, so I want to shine a spotlight on this vital issue ahead of their return to school. I’m delighted that Dr. Alex George will be working with us as we do everything in our power to improve people’s mental wellbeing.”
Claire Murdoch, Mental Health Director, NHS England and NHS Improvement, said:
“I welcome the appointment of Dr Alex George as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador, and look forward working closely with him on this important issue.
“I met Dr Alex recently and was struck by his commitment to the NHS and to the mental health of our nation.
“Children’s Mental Health Week couldn’t be a more important time to come together and help our youth improve their wellbeing.
“It has been a tough year, but the NHS is here for children’s mental health, and with the help of Dr Alex and our partners in health, education and charities, we will keep working hard to make sure every child in this country get the mental health support that they deserve.”
What I can never understand in all the debates about young peoples mental health is that no reference is ever made to the most important people in a young persons life, ie their parents!! I am 70 years of age and was born in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne,, it would now be classed as a very deprived area but what it did have, in the majority of cases, was parents who loved their children and made sure they were fed and clothed but most importantly loved!! Sadly the role of parents never seems to be mentioned when people discuss childrens mental health, why is that? Is it because society does not want to upset those parents who desert their children so that they can enjoy affairs, drugs, their own personal desires and children are just a hindrance to them enjoying their own selfish needs? More publicity and action must be taken to ensure children are not forgotten and all parents accept the responsibility of bringing a child in to this world, that is probably the most important thing any of us do in our lives and should never be forgotten.