SUPPORT is available for children who young people suffering with their mental health post-lockdown, the education minister has said.

As the coronavirus lockdown begins to ease and most young people across Wales return to their classrooms for the first time in months, mental health concerns may be escalating for some.

Moving out of lockdown might bring up feeling of anxiety – particularly for young people going back to schools and colleges.

The education minister Kirsty Williams has assured any anxious learners – from primary school up to university level – that the Welsh Government has support in place to make the transition easier.

She said: “This pandemic has had an impact on all of us in different ways and it is absolutely normal to have experienced anxiety, to be worried, lonely or perhaps depressed as a result of lockdown and the disease.

“That is why we have made additional resources available for our schools, to help our children and young people with that adjustment back into learning.

“Perhaps they are anxious about going back into school or lockdown hasn’t been a happy time and has had particularly stressful points for them. Perhaps things at home have not be easy for them and that is why those resources are available for them. These are also available for further education colleges and the Higher Education Funding Council of Wales to support mental health projects at our universities.

“What I would say to anyone who has perhaps felt that this pandemic has had an impact on their mental health is that help and support is available. Please, let someone know if you need that help because it is there. It is in place to make sure you get what you need.”

Young people who are worried about their mental health in the transition back to education can also reach out to YoungMinds – a charity dedicated to giving under 25s help and advice on a wide range of potential concerns you may have. Call for free on 0808 802 5544.