MONMOUTHSHIRE council officially became the first authority in Wales to support a campaign to reduce mental health stigma at work yesterday.

The Time to Change Wales pledge to reduce discrimination in the workplace was signed at the council’s County Hall by its chairman, Cllr John Prosser.

Councillors unanimously supported a motion proposed by Llanover councillor Sara Jones to sign the pledge at a meeting in May.

She said she hoped it was the start of wider activities that will help staff to reveal their own problems .

Cllr Jones said: “If we can get this organised we will see a massive difference. This is going to be a continuing activity.”

Cllr Jones and her colleagues Cllrs Graham Down and John Marshall revealed their own difficulties with mental health during Time for Change Wales’ Mental Health Awareness Week.

Time to Change Wales’ programme manager Antony Metcalfe said: “From a campaign point of view this is excellent for our reach and our depth. We have met with Admiral, Welsh Water but it is important we reach out to local authority employers.”

He added the charity hopes to sign up all Welsh local authorities in the next 12 months.

And Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay, who attended the pledge’s signing and a seminar afterwards held in County Hall’s council chamber, congratulated the authority for signing up.

He said: “The more people speak up about mental health issues, the sooner we will deal with the prejudice that currently exists.”