MORE than a dozen new mental health teams will be working with Hampshire schools by 2024.

That is the news from the Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) as more mental health support teams are planned for the education sector.

These mental health teams, using schools in different boroughs as a base of operations, specialise in dealing with anxiety, low moods and problems with sleep, behaviour and more.

Richard Levell from Hampshire CAMHS said: "Initially it was suggested that a fifth of schools could have access to these teams by 2023 – now it looks like more than a quarter will have a mental health support team nearby.

"More schools have been signed up for the next wave of teams, with each team supporting 8,000 students."

By January 2023, new teams will be set up in Basingstoke, the New Forest and Andover, with two teams working in the Rushmoor and Aldershot area.

Teams are already working in Gosport and Havant.

The teams operate halfway between schools and CAMHS, referring more serious cases up the chain.

Hampshire County Council’s education advisory panel was pleased to see the progress the scheme is making.

Conservative member for Farnborough South, Councillor Adam Jackman, said: "I imagine this takes some of the pressure of CAMHS, because I know it’s been feeling the strain as of late.

"This should have an impact on the number of referrals."

Liberal Democrat member for Itchen Valley, Cllr Jackie Porter, added: "The major problem we are facing today is the mental wellbeing of our children.

"Anything we can do to help raise them into young adults is a positive step."