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When it comes to stigma, mental health is the biggest elephant in the room. I am no stranger to the phenomenon, having dedicated many years to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The rejection, blame, stereotyping and discrimination of individuals affected by a stigmatised health condition is often likened by those who suffer as being worse than the disease itself, but is a major hindrance to public health efforts to address the condition.

Nowhere is this more true than in the case of mental illness, an often neglected area of health that represents the . One  estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year, primarily due to lost productivity. Researchers at the ������app of Economics estimate that on average, (known as “presenteeism”), with highly educated employees especially likely to be impacted by the cognitive symptoms of depression.

However, , with many employees reporting fear of losing their job if their illness is discovered. This is in spite of the (CRPD), which states that every person with a disability (including psychosocial disabilities) has the right to work, to be treated equally and without discrimination, and to be provided with support in the workplace. As recognised by the theme of this year’s on mental health in the workplace, employers have a major role to play in reducing the stigma around mental disorders and promoting better mental health among their employees.

For these reasons, I am delighted that today the School has signed the , a national initiative to improve mental health support within organisations, and fight stigma around mental health in the workplace. It marks a timely call for organisations to act as a beacon for the rest of society, spreading the message of positivity and inclusion.

Colleagues from Human Resources, Talent & Educational Development, the Overseas Safety Working Group, the , and Student Counselling and Advice have developed a cross-cutting action plan, that I believe will strengthen our understanding of staff and students that are experiencing mental health difficulties at the School, and improve our response through better training, support and information.

I am delighted that more than fifty staff have signed up so far as School Mental Health Champions, and joined a new network that has been created to share news and provide peer support for staff interested in mental health. As an organisation, we continually strive to fight mental health stigma both nationally and globally; but that begins at home, by fighting that same stigma in the workplace as well.