Introducing the experts to the Minister
Many of the experts and the 3 Dads with the Minister of State for Schools, Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP
Last Tuesday 18th July we were back at Westminster.
This time we were invited to attend a round table meeting chaired by Nick Gibb MP, Schools Minister. This was one of a series of meetings held to gather evidence as part of the review of the RSHE curriculum (Relationship, Sex and Health Education).
Also in attendance were experts in mental health and suicide prevention Dr Beth Moseley MBE, Dr Emma Ashworth and Professor Peter Fonagy as well as representatives from:
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
The teaching community
We had limited time but there was a clear consensus that:
- It was vital that we had age-appropriate suicide prevention lessons.
- Speaking openly about suicide does not put the idea of suicide in young people’s heads.
- A whole school approach would be an ideal (involving pupils, teachers, staff and parents)
As a follow up to this meeting the various experts will send evidence to the Department for Education; this will be research showing that there is a demand for suicide prevention lessons (from pupils, teachers and parents), evidence of the effectiveness of these lessons and many examples of age-appropriate lessons.
Tim, Andy and Mike with the Minister for Schools, Nick Gibb
This was another step along the way to equip our young people with the knowledge and skills which will help them deal with the biggest risk in their lives.