VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Mental Illness: Training

Asked by Aphra BrandrethConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 16 June 2025UIN 57893

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what training is provided to healthcare professionals to (a) identify and (b) help tackle the causes of mental distress.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

Individual health care providers are responsible for ensuring that their staff have the knowledge, skills, and competence to meet the specific needs of the communities they serve. To support this, NHS England offers a wide range of training opportunities designed to help mental health professionals identify and address the possible causes of mental distress.

These programmes cover a variety of settings, from early intervention and preventative psychological therapies services, such as Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges and Talking Therapies for adults, to crisis services for individuals with severe mental health conditions who may be at risk of harming themselves or others. In addition, NHS England provides training for staff working in physical health, accident, and urgent care centres, ensuring they are equipped to support individuals presenting with mental distress across demographics.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim