The funding is expected to deliver 10,000 extra interventions to help young people facing mental health challenges.

Health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting said: ‘No young person should suffer in silence with their mental health. We're investing in the wellbeing of the next generation, making sure every young person has the best start in life and the support they need to grow, to flourish, and to thrive. 

‘Early Support Hubs are already making a real difference and this funding boost will expand services to support more young people in communities across the country. 

‘Alongside this, we're investing an extra £688m in mental health services this year and are well on our way to recruiting 8,500 additional mental health workers across children's and adult services.'

Early Support Hubs are community-based services, which provide drop-in mental health support for young people aged 11-25 with a range of issues, helping to prevent more severe mental illness without the need for a referral or doctor's appointment.  

The investment will allow the 24 existing hubs to expand services in local communities, delivering 10,000 additional mental health and wellbeing interventions over the next twelve months. This could include counselling, group work, therapeutic support and specialist advice. 

Approximately one in five people aged 8 to 25 years have a mental disorder.