By Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language

I want to start my update in the County Times by offering my thanks to everyone involved in the mass vaccination effort across Powys.

As one of your elected representatives, I’ve been meeting with Powys Teaching Health Board regularly to hear of the progress and to raise the issues you’ve been raising with me to ensure the programme runs smoothly.

Throughout Covid-19, our public services backed by the strong and supportive voluntary sector in Powys have been working incredibly hard to support vulnerable people across the county.

The early learning from the first wave has helped us during this third lockdown.

But in so many ways, this current lockdown has been tough.

Cold, dark wintry days have kept us indoors – a stark contrast to being able to enjoy the garden or a local walk last spring. As a government and as the Minister for Mental Health, I am acutely aware of the impacts on our day to day wellbeing that this pandemic is causing.

I always make sure I make time to exercise each day.

The benefits to our physical and mental health are well documented.

For our children and young people though, the social distance created by this pandemic is especially hard.

That is why I have been particularly keen to make additional support available so that young people can access support at an early stage.

Whilst young people have been able to connect online, it doesn’t make up for the shared experience of attending school, social clubs and spending time in each others company.

Earlier this month, I announced an additional £9.4million for mental health support services for young people in Wales.

My ambition is to make sure that young people get the right support at the right time which can prevent longer-term adverse effects.

There is a wide range of support available to find out more visit: https://gov.wales/safe-help/mental-health

If I can be of any assistance to you as one of your Labour MS for Mid and West Wales, please do get in touch – email: eluned.morgan@senedd.wales or call 0300 200 7264.