Employers are asked to sign up to a scheme to end the stigma against mental health.

Waltham Forest Council is calling for employers to help foster positive attitudes towards mental health in the workplace.

According to research, one in six workers struggles with anxiety, depression or stress, with many reporting to have faced negative treatment from others as a result.

On February 7, Waltham Forest Council signed a pledge to commit to supporting the mental wellbeing of employees for Time to Talk Day.

By signing the pledge the council committed to supporting open conversations about mental health and wellbeing, reviewing all its mental health relevant policies and delivering mental health training for staff and managers.

The council is now encouraging its partners and local businesses to join the Time to Change campaign.

Cllr Naheed Asghar Cabinet Member for Health and Voluntary Sector Partnerships said: "With mental ill-health being the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK, tackling mental health stigma and discrimination at the workplace is crucial.

"A healthy happy workforce not only saves money for an organisation but also improves productivity, sickness absence rates, and staff retention."

Local Time to Change champions organised a photographic exhibition at One Hoe Street in Walthamstow from February 7 to 10 to showcase the stories of people who live with a mental health diagnosis.

Jon Salmon, Waltham Forest Time to Change champion, said: “Having a mental health diagnosis and experiencing first hand discrimination in the work place, I understand first-hand the impact a workplace can have on a person’s mental health.

"I now run my own business along with being a very active Time to Change champion. We know that the impact of the negative treatment people receive following a mental health diagnosis can be many times worse that the diagnosis itself.

"It is therefore important to be part of the Time to Change movement. Through the campaign champions get trained and funded have conversations that challenge negative attitudes to mental health."

For more information about the Time to Change campaign visit: www.walthamforest.gov.uk/timetochange.