Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what his Department's wellness strategy is.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's (DCMS) strategic approach to health and well-being reflects the wider Civil Service Priorities of mental health, musculoskeletal disorders and a healthy lifestyle.

In 2014, DCMS signed up to the Department of Health’s Public Health Responsibility Deal to deliver pledges H1, 2, 3 and 7 under the Health at Work Pledge and P2 and 3 of the Physical Activity Pledge. We have made good progress against each of the pledges, and in 2015, we launched the ‘Get Active 2015’ campaign to encourage and help DCMS staff get fit and healthy. As part of this campaign we have actively promoted national events like “Walk to Work” week, the Mental Health Awareness Week and Movember to promote physical and mental well-being.

DCMS also supports the Time to Change Programme. Signing up to this pledge is a public statement of our intent to support good health at work and tackle the stigma associated with mental health. We have used the “Time to Talk” days to promote early intervention. DCMS also hosts an annual Employee Week with a focus on employees’ physical and mental well-being and the support and benefits available to all employees. DCMS provides an Employee Assistance programme for all staff. This is a free confidential counselling and support service which offers practical information and resources on health and well-being issues.