WITNEY MP Robert Courts has been invited to work with an Oxfordshire charity to deliver on the Prime Minister's £1bn mental health pledge.

Last week Theresa May wrote exclusively for the Witney Gazette's sister paper the Oxford Mail to announce a new National Citizen Service (NCS) course, which will see young people provided with dedicated mental health courses and training.

She also revealed her plans to roll out mental health training for frontline staff and to set up a new network for graduates of the NCS – a scheme which allows 15 to 17-year-olds to develop new skills and contribute to society.

Oxfordshire Mind spokeswoman, Sarah Jordan, said: "We have sent an open invitation out to all local MPs to meet with us to discuss our current work, including our Children and Young Person report and our 2017 World Mental Health Day plans.

"We have invited all local MPs to visit a local Wellbeing Hub and engage with both staff and service users to better understand the vast variety of services which Oxfordshire Mind offers."

Mr Courts said he fully backed the the new scheme, which aims to help young people across the country, including the one in five young women aged 16-24 who have self harmed.

He said: "I am delighted by the Prime Minister's announcement that thousands of teenagers will receive additional support to improve their mental health as part of a new National Citizen Service initiative, and that she has met teenagers from across Oxfordshire to discuss this critical issue.

"Having met NCS students in West Oxfordshire this summer, I am pleased that this further investment will enable the service to grow and help more young people.

Oxfordshire Mind revealed half of mental health problems start before the age of 15 and 75 per cent before the age of 18, while three in four children with diagnosable mental health problems do not get access to the support they need.

Jane Taylor, volunteer and peer support worker from Oxfordshire Mind said she believed the earlier children children and young people received support, the better the outcome.

She said: "I have been working closely with local schools to identify the mental health needs of children in Oxfordshire and have found that some of the most prevalent problems include exam stress, self-esteem issues, social media, peer and family relationships, and change.

"We also recognise that children and young people are affected by different issues depending on their age, with particular support needed around the Year 6 transition period, Year 7, Year 11, and Years 12 and 13."

If you are someone you know is experiencing anything mentioned in this article, please visit oxfordshiremind.org.uk