The National Assembly for Wales Commission has signed a pledge to end workplace stigma attached to mental health issues.
The Assembly Commissioner with responsibility for equalities and Commission staff, Joyce Watson AM, and the Chief Executive and Clerk of the Assembly, Claire Clancy, signed the Time to Change Wales pledge on World Mental Health Day (10 October).
Time to Change Wales - organised by charities Gofal, Hafal and Mind Cymru - aims to get organisations to commit to tackling mental health stigma and discrimination.
The pledge states:
“The National Assembly for Wales Commission is committed to supporting and protecting the mental wellbeing of its employees, and realises that good mental health is important for individual physical health, social wellbeing and productivity. The Commission aims to support employees to achieve and maintain a positive state of mental health and wellbeing. Supporting the Time to Change Wales pledge affirms the Commission’s commitment to supporting employees with reducing stigma within the work place and throughout Wales.”
The signing of the pledge marks the start of a week of workshops and sessions for Assembly staff, aimed at raising awareness of the issue and offering advice and solutions.
“For many, there is still a stigma attached to mental health, and particularly within the workplace,” Joyce Watson said.
“Mental health is an illness like any other and any employer worth its salt supports staff when they become ill.
“We expect a great deal of the people who work for the Assembly so it is only right that we offer support in time of illness, and that should include issues around mental health.
“I am proud to sign this pledge on behalf of the Assembly Commission - it is important that Wales’s parliament shows leadership on issues like this.”
Ryan Jones, Time to Change Wales Programme Manager, said:
“We are delighted that the National Assembly for Wales has pledged to tackle mental health stigma in its workplaces.
“With one in four people experiencing a mental health problem, their commitment to the mental wellbeing of their staff highlights the importance of providing the right support and creating an open and honest environment.
“This sends out a clear message to employers in Wales that it is crucial to create an environment that promotes good mental wellbeing for staff, and that they ensure more is done to raise awareness of mental health and to address misconceptions and discriminatory attitudes.”