Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney has added his signature to a pledge supporting mental health anti-stigma programme Time to Change.

The pledge is a commitment by MPs in their roles as small employers to address mental health stigma and discrimination and support mental health and well-being among their staff.

The pledge signing took place at an event in Parliament where Mr McCartney and MPs from all parties made a public statement that they will talk to their staff about mental health and wellbeing.

They also pledged to ensure support services are flagged up, promote a healthy work-life balance, ensure there are equal opportunities and use Time to Change resources to communicate anti-stigma messages.

The Tory MP said: “Unfortunately, nine in 10 people who have a mental health problem will experience stigma and discrimination.

“It’s so important that anyone going through a difficult time is able to speak out without fear of being judged, which is why I’m supporting Time to Change and committing to make my workplace stigma free.”

The event was also an opportunity to celebrate the significant landmarks in the work Parliament has done in the last 18 months to address stigma and discrimination.

These include the passing of the Mental Health (Discrimination) Act, which put an end to archaic laws that discriminate against people with mental health problems, and four MPs disclosing their mental health problems in Parliament for the first time ever last year.

Organisations backing the pledge include the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority and NHS employers as well as British Gas, BT, Lloyds Banking Group, Ernst & Young, E.ON and Pepsico.