International conference on reforming young people’s mental health services hosted by father of Meldreth suicide victim

A charity dedicated to improving mental health education in schools in the wake of a Meldreth teenager’s suicide is staging an international conference.

Key policy makers, MPs and world-renowned mental health experts have signed up for the international conference on emotional wellbeing and teenage mental health hosted by The MindEd Trust.

The charity was set up by Steve Mallen after the death of his son Edward, who took his own life after a sudden onset of depression last February.

Steve said: “At Edward’s funeral I promised that I would investigate the whole issue of mental health on his behalf and press for reforms.

“This conference will bring together some of the country’s key decision makers and world’s leading psychologists to both consider revisions to national policy and inform schools on how to prevent mental illness.

“This event is the very least my son deserves and the very least he would have expected. I am deliberately connecting our community with policy makers and world class expertise so that we can reform our education system to produce happier and more resilient young people. ”

Steve has recently been appointed as an adviser to the newly formed government commission on children’s mental health under the chairmanship of former health minister Norman Lamb MP, a pioneer in adolescent wellbeing.

Reporting in June, this commission is charged with developing policy reforms to both the health and education systems.

The conference, which will be held at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge University on Friday, March 18, is invitation only, but Steve is extending an invitation to all schools in the Royston area.

Places are subject to availability but people interested in attending can contact Steve through the MindEd Trust Facebook page.