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Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 4 March 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 6 March 2015. It was answered by Desmond Swayne (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 March 2015 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Mental Illness

Question

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.

Answer

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.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
226338
Session
2014-15
Subjects
Department for International Development Mental illness
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk