An aspiration to make mental health first-aid compulsory in every workplace moved a step closer to becoming law today.

It comes after Watford MP Dean Russell introduced his Parliamentary Bill, the Ten-Minute Rule Bill, in the House of Commons this afternoon.

The Bill is designed to make mental health first-aid part of first-aid training requirements in workplaces as well as in wider society. If successful, employers and colleagues could play a part in spotting symptoms, signposting people to further help, or simply just listening.

Mr Russell, who is the vice-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on mental health, spoke for around ten minutes about why tackling mental health is so important.

He recalled nearly 30 years ago when he heard the news that his sister's best friend, someone Mr Russell says he looked up, had committed suicide.

In his speech, he questioned whether he could have done anything to change that and the past - but says with the bill he proposes, we as a nation "can change the future".

The bill received no objections and will go through to a second reading tomorrow.

Speaking outside of Parliament about his Parliamentary bill, Mr Russell said: "One of the big reasons I went into politics and public service was to remove the stigma around mental health and improve provision.

"To do that, we need a parity with people’s mental health and physical health in society, and that includes inside every workplace. This has become more urgent now as millions of people will be returning back to their workplaces either in person or virtually – many of whom have had a challenging time dealing with the pandemic and lockdown.

"The latest figures for 2020 estimate some 1.9 million people were absent from work because of a mental health related reason, and I’m sure that’s under-reported as people have been working remotely or have been furloughed, where absence would not be reported.

"Ensuring the mental wellbeing of our nation is essential. This Bill will help individuals, but also makes sense for businesses when considering productivity, and it makes sense nationally when considering the economic cost of reported mental-health related absence. If every workplace has a mental health first aider, we can ensure early signposting, guidance and support is available to boost the nation’s mental wellbeing."

During the Covid pandemic, the NHS has spent around £14 billion on mental health, learning disability and dementia, including round £110.8 million in Hertfordshire.

During the same period, some 1.2 million people have been in contact with mental health services in England – 9,415 in Hertfordshire.

Locally, Watford's MP has been working with community partners including the Watford and West Herts Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Camelot, to recruit 1,000 mental health first aiders across the town.

Hundreds of people have signed up to be trained on the programme.