Love Island's Dr Alex calls for mental health education for all children

Love Island star Dr Alex George is calling on the government to introduce comprehensive mental health education across UK schools.

The A&E medic, who lost his brother to suicide last summer, says the time is right to overhaul how society talks about its feelings - starting in our classrooms.

Listen to the full conversation on this week's Mental Health Monday Podcast

What is he calling for?

Dr Alex wants all young people to understand what mental health is, how it can impact their lives, and where to turn if they are suffering.

He is working with other mental health organisations who can provide resources and training for school staff, as well as telling young people about the service that are open to them.

Speaking to our Mental Health Monday Podcast, he said the plans were based on three ideas.

"We need to teach teachers about mental health, and support their mental health because of the stress and the pressures of their roles.

"Two, we want mental health to sit in the curriculum alongside core subjects,

"And three, we want to ramp up counselling in schools. We need to support these children through the next few years. A counsellor in every school is a must."

Watch Dr Alex's full conversation with Senior Correspondent Mick Coyle below

Dr Alex believes the government's current investment in young people's mental health doesn't go far enough.

"Is it an improvement? Yes, but we're talking 5 or 10%. Yes, does it cost money? Absolutely, but so does the cost of the loss of life from suicide, so does the cost of acute admissions of children or adults with mental health issues. It's a real investment in our own society."

Family tragedy

Dr Alex has been working on the plans for a number of months, but became more determined to get a result after his brother took his own life in 2020.

"I lost my brother to suicide in the summer, he was only 19, and he never told us he was struggling, I'm an older brother, I'm a doctor. He just couldn't speak about it, he couldn't share how he felt.

"After he passed away, that was fuel onto the fire. I really need to do this.

"We need to make it normal at schools to talk about it, to learn about it."

Get the latest on the campaign through Dr Alex's Twitter feed

Response from the Government

We asked the Department for Health to respond to Dr Alex's call for better education about mental health:

A DHSC Spokesperson said:

“We are absolutely committed to supporting the mental wellbeing of children and young people.

“Early intervention and treatment is vital and we are training a new dedicated mental health workforce for schools and colleges across the country as well as teaching them what good mental and physical health looks like.

“Through the NHS Long Term Plan we are expanding children and young people’s mental health services to support an additional 345,000 individuals by 2023/24, backed by record investment of an extra £2.3 billion per year.

What services are available to me to talk about mental health?

If you want to speak to someone about your mental health, you can tell your GP.

Call the Samaritans on 116 123 to speak to a volunteer.

Text Shout to 85258 to talk to someone using your phone.

Or find mental health services near you by popping your postcode into the Hub of Hope

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