TWO teenagers have launched a petition to improve mental health awareness in education.

James Critchley, 17, and friend Amy Jones, 17 have launched an online campaign to help spread awareness of the issue.

The petition, addressed to Secretary of State for Education Nicky Morgan MP, focuses on mental health within teenagers and how it can have various effects on the way people think and behave.

Issues surrounding mental health have been the subject of many awareness initiatives in recent years and campaigners say more can be done to help people with mental health issues.

James hopes it will not only raise awareness among teenagers themselves but also increase schools’ knowledge of mental health issues to help them to be able to provide adequate support.

“I wanted to start the petition as a number of my close friends suffer from mental health problems,” says James, from Rainford.

“I do not feel like they are getting the correct help and support to help them through difficult times. There were 126 people who signed my petition which clearly proves that a large number amount of people agree with my matter.”

James hopes that it will be made it easier for young people with mental health problems to feel free to open up. “I’d like to see a student being able to have an everyday conversation with a teacher without feeling intimidated, feeling like they can open up to them completely in a comfortable way.”

“I think teachers should be given training that will prepare them more in case they are needed in any situation,” added the former Rainford High pupil.

View the petition here: www.change.org/p/nicky-morgan-mp-raise-mental-health-awareness-in-schools-and-put-in-better-strategies-for-teachers-to-know-how-to-deal-with-mental-health