Question to the Department for International Development:

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

Mental health problems are common - but nearly nine out of ten people who experience them say they face stigma and discrimination as a result. This year mental health has been a strategic focus for our workplace inclusion programme. This work was instigated in August 2013 with our signing both the ‘Time to Change’ and ‘See Me Scotland’ pledges to tackle stigma.

Throughout the year we have sustained momentum on this agenda through:

· The delivery of a series of strategic and targeted communications including the UN Day for People with Disabilities and the ‘Time to Talk’ day.

· Working with external partners to conduct an in-depth and impartial audit of our management practices where they relate to the mental health of our staff.

· Sharing our learning with other government departments.

Our work in this area will continue over the coming year as we implement the recommendations of the audit above.