I am writing as one of your constituents to call your attention to the Time to Change campaign to end mental health discrimination. It may come as a surprise but most people find stigma and discrimination the hardest part of having a mental illness. It stops them finding employment, keeping friends and all too often, being open about their illness. In fact 90% of people who have experienced mental illness, have experienced stigma.

And with 1 in 4 people experiencing mental illness in any one year that is a lot of people, and among them may be our friends and colleagues suffering in silence. We need to start the conversation and get mental illness into the open.

Time to Change is a campaign led by mental health charities Rethink and MInd, evaluated by the Institute of Psychiatry, that is doing just that. This is England's most ambitious programme to make lives better for everyone and to inspire people to work together to end the discrimination surrounding mental health.

The impact of prejudice, ignorance and fear around mental health can be devastating for people, families, communities and society and this impact could affect 25% of your constituency. As Stuart, who has schizophrenia, says "the reaction towards my diagnosis can cause many people to step away, without taking the chance to get to know me further. People's lack of understanding and the unfounded fears attached to my diagnosis can be just as destructive as the mental health problem itself".

Stigma may prevent people seeking help when they need it. It stops people with ability getting the jobs they are qualified to do. It can stop people building new friendships and mean they lose existing ones. It can mean that everyday activities that many people take for granted, like going to the shops, pub or gym are impossible.

I am asking you, as my MP, to support our campaign to help reduce the discrimination faced by people every day. You can pledge your support through Facebook. It's quick, easy and would be a great encouragement for fellow constituents to see their MP backing this crucial campaign. When you add your pledge, please also add your name for even greater impact! It would be fantastic if you would send me an email to say you are now part of it and I look forward to hearing from you.