Recommendation 1

HM Government Accepted

We strongly agree with the committee that there is a need for cross-government work to address the issues raised in the inquiry and we are already taking forward action. There is not an immediate need for a standalone strategy, as multiple government departments – including DHSC , DCMS and DfE – are already working together to address many of the issues raised by the committee. The government is committed to improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes. This is a key part of our commitment to ‘level up’, and address unequal outcomes and life chances across the country. In April 2022, the government launched a 12-week public call for evidence on what can be done across government in the longer term to support mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention . The responses we received have been processed, and will feed into the development of mental health and suicide prevention policies we include in the major conditions and suicide prevention strategies, which we will take forward this year. The government has already set its ambition to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online through the Online Safety Bill , which will require services in scope to address illegal content and, where they are likely to be accessed by children, remove harmful content and activity such as content promoting eating disorders. In July 2021, DCMS published the Online Media Literacy Strategy , which set out its ambition to: improve the national media literacy landscape support the empowerment of users with the skills and knowledge they need to make safe and informed choices online The strategy includes a framework of 5 key principles that underpin strong media literacy, including being able to critically think about online content and building an understanding that the online environment is not always reflective of reality. Body image is also covered in teacher training modules on respectful relationships, online relationships, online and media, mental wellbeing and physical health and fitness . The Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health programme focuses on promoting mental health and wellbeing in local authorities and integrated care systems, supporting the prevention of mental ill health. The Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign delivered by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities ( OHID ) supports positive mental health and wellbeing by giving children aged 10 to 18 the skills to help them look after their mental health. This campaign includes: NHS -endorsed video content via social media platforms a website relationships, sex and health education curriculum-linked classroom resources (for year 6 and key stage 3 and 4 pupils) addressing issues that affect young people’s mental wellbeing, including managing social media pressures and body image The Healthy Child Programme provides an opportunity for health visitors and school nurses to identify at risk populations, and provide appropriate intervention and/or referral to appropriate services. The government remains committed to working together to address the: growing problem around body dissatisfaction impact this is having on people’s mental and physical health We will consider what further action is required to address the issues raised by the committee.