THERE is “deep concern” about the Welsh Government’s response to a report into mental health in children, a Gwent AM has said.

The Welsh Assembly’s Children, Young People and Education Committee, which is led by Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle, released its Mind Over Matter report in April, calling on the Welsh Government to treat mental health among young people as a priority. It also called for everyone working with children and young people to be trained in mental health awareness.

But, speaking ahead of a debate on the report in the Assembly today, Wednesday, Labour AM Ms Neagle said she was concerned about the Welsh Government’s response to the report, which dismissed a number of the report’s recommendations.

Addressing Carwyn Jones in the Assembly yesterday, Tuesday, she said: “First minister, you are very well aware of my deep concern about the Welsh Government response to Mind Over Matter.”

She added: “Can I just ask you to give me your assurance that you will very carefully consider what happens in that debate tomorrow, with a view to ensuring that we do actually get the step-change that we so desperately need for our children and young people?”

Mr Jones replied: “I know that this is an issue that (Ms Neagle) has given a huge amount of commitment to, and I want to make sure that the government's response in the longer term is the kind of response that she would want to see.”

South Wales East AM Mark Reckless, who is also a member of the committee, also said he was concerned about the response to the report.

Today’s debate will begin at around 3.15pm and will be streamed live at senedd.tv