Midlothian Young People’s Advice Service grant from BBC Children in Need

That this House congratulates MYPAS (the Midlothian Young People’s Advice Service) on its award of a £67,851 grant from BBC Children in Need’s Next Steps Fund; understands that this will fund a full-time counsellor over the next 18 months to engage with young people adversely mentally affected by the situations brought about by the covid-19 pandemic, with particular regard to LGBT+ young people; notes that MYPAS promotes the health and wellbeing of young people (aged 12 to 25) in Midlothian through the provision of drug and alcohol services, street work, art therapy, counselling, sexual health drop-ins and more; further notes the serious impact on young people’s mental health caused by the covid-19 pandemic; and commends organisations such as MYPAS which seek to address those issues.