The Bank of England signed the Time to Change pledge on World Mental Health Day, a story that was featured on page two of The Times today.

This is great news as it helps to raise awareness about the importance of tackling mental health stigma and discrimination in the workplace.

Read more about all the events and activity on World Mental Health Day.

Just in case you missed the article, we've added some quotes from it below:

 

The Bank has taken the unusual step of making a public pledge on mental health primarily to persuade its own staff to seek help from managers or the in-house counsellor if they need it. However, it also wants to use its powerful position to encourage investment banks and other employers to support staff with mental health problems. 

 

Spencer Dale, chief economist at the Bank of England, said that banking had not traditionally been an easy place for those mental health problems.
"You can imagine the culture and prejudices an organisation like this has had in the past,” he said. "For us there is a clear business case for supporting our staff. But we are also signing the pledge to lead by example."

 

However the decision of the Bank of England to take a stance has moved the campaign right to the heart of the City, which is regarded as particularly intolerant of mental illness. 

 

Sue Baker [Director of Time to Change] said that great strides had been made in the past year or so, but episodes such as the Asda "mental health patient" fancy dress costume, which was withdrawn by the supermarket last month after complaints, showed that there was still a way to go.