These include: Andy Barratt, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford of Britain; Stephen Clarke, Chief Executive, WHSmith; John Kirkland, Chairman, Bowmer & Kirkland; and David Hynam, CEO of Bupa. In addition, the Centre for Mental Health and Samaritians have backed it as a public petition. It has received over 188,000 signatures in support.

Mental ill-health is costing the economy an estimated £99 billion each year and 12.5 million working days are lost to work-related stress, depression or anxiety. Last week, Prince William launched a Heads Together project focused on improving workplace wellbeing. The Confederation of British Industry has called for workplaces and employers to place mental health and wellbeing at the forefront.

Paul Keenan, CEO of Bauer Media UK, said: “The support from the public and business leaders for this law change means this can no longer be ignored. We are seeking a seismic change in how mental health is viewed in the UK and urge other business leaders who agree this law change would benefit their business and their people to stand with us.“

“We’re delighted by the level of public support drawn by the Where’s Your Head At? campaign,” added Barratt. “I would echo Paul’s thoughts in calling for more business leaders to show their commitment to ensuring all UK workers have access to mental health support in the workplace.”

The Where’s Your Head At? campaign conducted a survey into the state of the UK’s mental health and uncovered:

• 86% of the men and women who responded agreed that mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing the country today and over a third (33%) of those people said they are more stressed now than they were a couple of years ago.
• 90% of the public said they still feel there is a taboo around discussing mental health.
• Over half (56%) of respondents said that if they had to take time off work due to stress/anxiety then they would tell their boss the truth, but this was lower for those living in London.

Representatives from Bauer Media and Mental Health First Aid England, along with Writer and Campaigner Natasha Devon MBE, will deliver the petition to Downing Street on October 8 alongside Luciana Berger MP, who will present the petition to Parliament.

Devon said: “Since sharing my story, I’ve been inundated with messages from the public telling me their own experiences involving mental health difficulties being treated as a character flaw or lack of professionalism at work. These are bright, hardworking people who would be an asset to any workplace, but they are often currently unemployed because of how they were treated.

“Attitudes and culture desperately need to change so that people can be properly supported. Having mental health first aiders in every work place will, I believe, be an integral part of this,” she continued.

Sign the petition here.