THE mental wellbeing of Darlington’s young people is at the heart of new report that has been published to help tackle the issue.

Miriam Davidson, the director of public health for Darlington, has been investigating ways to help them build resilience before their mental health is impacted upon.

Outlining the report at a meeting of Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet committee, she said: “It’s not a report about mental ill health, it is looking at the best ways to help them build resilience and what we can actually do it.”

Conservative group leader Councillor Heather Scott asked whether the impact of social media and cyber bullying was being considered by the council as it works on the plan.

Ms Davidson assured members that the report had been compiled following close working relationships with a number of organisations and individuals, including Jessica Halliday, Member of Youth Parliament for Darlington and Gary Emmerson, chief executive of Darlington MIND.

The report will now be distributed across the borough.