Prime Minister Boris Johnson has this month appointed a new Official Spokesperson and Youth Mental Health Ambassador, with Max Blain and Dr. Alex George taking up the respective roles.
Blain will replace the outgoing James Slack as the new Official Spokesperson for the Prime Minister, with Slack set to become Johnson’s Director of Communications. The changeover will take place in April with both men assuming their new roles from then on.
Meanwhile, Dr. Alex George, an experienced A&E doctor, will advise the government on and raise the profile of mental health education and wellbeing in schools in his new capacity as Youth Mental Health Ambassador.
Dr. Alex has been a prominent online campaigner for the importance of children’s mental health after tragically losing his brother to suicide in 2020.
The Prime Minister believes that his clinical expertise and personal experiences combined with his substantial social media following among youngsters makes him the ideal candidate to help shape policy on improving mental health support for young people in schools, colleges and universities.
Johnson commented: “Children and young people have heroically adapted to save lives and protect our NHS. This has understandably had a huge impact on their mental health, so I want to shine a spotlight on this vital issue ahead of their return to school. I’m delighted that Dr. Alex George will be working with us as we do everything in our power to improve people’s mental wellbeing.”
Dr. Alex will also sit on the new Mental Health in Education Action Group, chaired by Children’s Minister Vicky Ford and Universities Minister Michelle Donelan. The group will be tasked with looking specifically at how the government can support young people with their wellbeing as they return to school and university once safe.
Dr. Alex himself said: “The last year has been unimaginably difficult for all of us, but particularly for young people who have sacrificed so much.
“I am honoured to be appointed for this role where I’ll be working closely with government to make mental health an absolute priority and hope to have a positive impact on the lives of young people and their education for good.
“Right now, young people need a voice in government, and I hope that through this role I can advocate for meaningful change in this area.”
