‘Grit’ no substitute for better mental health funding for pupils in England, say experts

As education secretary unveils 49m for school-based support and calls for grit', charity says many children have significant treatment needs

Ministers' efforts to promote grit" among children are no substitute for better funded mental health support in England's schools, according to school leaders and experts.

Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, and Wes Streeting, the health secretary, claimed in an article for the Daily Telegraph that more mental health support teams (MHSTs) for schools would not only halt the spiral towards crisis but cultivate much-needed grit among the next generation - essential for academic success and life beyond school, with all its ups and downs".