Adam Afriyie, the MP for Windsor, has welcomed a new National Citizen Service initiative to improve the mental health of thousands of teenagers.

The National Citizen Service, a Conservative initiative that was started in 2011, has aided in the personal and social development of over 300,000 15 to 17 year olds. Evaluations have found a positive effect on how young people see and perceive themselves 5 and 16 months after the programme.

The NCS will now offer a mental health awareness course designed to teach teenagers how to handle a variety of mentally stressful situations, such as exam pressure and self-esteem, which have had a proven deleterious effect on young people’s mental health.

 

The MP for the Windsor constituency, Adam Afriyie welcomed the figures:

“It’s fantastic to see that this Conservative Government is backing up words with action when it comes to making mental healthcare a top priority. There is no finer investment than the mental health of the nation.

“The impact of mental health issues can be even more devastating if they are left untreated, which is why early intervention and giving people the confidence to access support is so key to ensuring that we live in a mentally healthy society.

“This is yet more proof that this Conservative Government is firmly on the side of young people and also resolutely committed to tackling the burning injustice of mental ill health. The National Citizens Service has proven a great success and I would encourage all of my teenage constituents to consider participating.”

 

ENDS

Note to editors

1.    Adam Afriyie is the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ghana.

2.    He has a strong background in science, technology and innovation.

3.    He is currently Chairman of the Fintech APPG, Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) and President of the Conservative Technology Forum (CTF).

4.    He was shadow Minister for Science from 2007-2010 and has a background in the information services and technology sector.