Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department has taken to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination as a result of signing up to the Time to Change Pledge.

Since signing the Pledge the Department has been actively engaging employees at all levels in a wide range of positively regarded and innovative initiatives. Focussing on building awareness and capability, this has included:

• introducing a mental health buddies scheme for managers;

• running workshops on managing employees with mental health illnesses;

• championing ‘Time to Talk Day’ on 5 February and;

• running events such as a talk by an international cricketer on his experience of depression and a film by Rethink Mental Illness, followed by a staff Q&A session with the Director and the person featured in the film.