Today’s News

It’s time to talk about Mental Health

For a decade now, Bell Let’s Talk Day has inspired millions of Canadians to take a positive step for the betterment of mental health across the nation.

10th Annual Bell Let’s Talk Day

Armed with the theme Mental Health: Every Action Counts, the 10th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day on Jan. 29 aims to continue moving the conversation forward to reduce stigma around mental health.

“I look forward to joining with Canadians and people around the world as we celebrate the 10th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day and talk about the actions big and small we can all take to drive positive change in mental health. 2020 promises to be another year of progress in Canadian mental health, the first in a new decade of heightened awareness of the impact of mental illness and of the opportunities to make a real and enduring difference,” said Mirko Bibic, President and CEO of Bell in a press release. 

Throughout the years, Bell Let’s Talk Day has ignited the conversation on mental health through a nationwide multimedia campaign that encourages Canadians to text, tweet, and talk about mental health as well as watch the Bell Let’s Talk official video on Instagram or Snapchat For every interaction, Bell donates five cents towards mental health initiatives.

Bell’s mental health programs aide the community by building on four key pillars: anti-stigma, care and access, research, and workplace health. 

Over $100 million raised

Last year alone, there were 145, 442, 699 interactions around mental health. To date, Bell has committed more than $100 million to mental health initiatives. Specifically, $15.7 million have funded children and youth initiatives and $1.95 million towards indigenous communities. 

Bell Let’s Talk Day has also played a significant role in the military community. Upwards of $1.78 million have gone to military families, and 15,846 military families have been assisted through the True Patriot Love Foundation. 

CAF Programs This Year

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces have partnered with Bell Let’s Talk Day since 2013 to bring a wider awareness to mental health within the military. 

“As longstanding partners of Bell on this campaign, DND and the CAF are proud to support this important initiative to continue the conversation around mental health and end the stigma attached to mental illness. We commend Bell for its ongoing leadership and work in raising awareness of mental health issues through its Bell Let’s Talk campaign,” said Julia Scott, communications advisor with DND. 

The military takes this opportunity to encourage discussion amongst members and their families in an effort to end the stigma surrounding mental health. They will cover topics such as resources available to military members and their families, take steps to decrease stigma, and encourage staff to participate in sharing what actions they are taking to create positive change. The hope is to also use this opportunity to increase the Canadian public’s understanding of the mental health struggles of military members and the resources that are available to them. 

Panel Discussions

Specifically, two expert panel discussions will be taking place on Jan. 29. One will take place at 17 Wing Winnipeg. Panel experts include Bruno Guévremont, Brigadier-General Mario Leblanc, Colonel Rakesh Jetly, Major Nathan Packer, Major Patti Louttit, Sergeant Holly Young and civilian panelist Alana Mahaney from the Department of National Defence.

The second panel discussion will take place at the National Defence Carling headquarters in Ottawa. Panel experts include Mental Health Co-Champions National Defence Deputy Minister Jody Thomas, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Lieutenant-General Jean-Marc Lanthier and Jerry Ryan, president of the federal government dockyard trade and Labour Council East, Canadian Forces mental health specialist Lieutenant-Colonel Suzanne Bailey, and Gary Ivey, a research director with the CAF’s Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis. 

Highlights from the two-panel discussions can be viewed via the Canadian Armed Forces Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Ways to Help

For more information on how to help someone visit Bell Let’s Talk Ways to Help page here. (https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/ways-to-help)

For more information on how to raise money by text, messaging, and calling visit the Bell Let’s Talk Talk Day page

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Mishall Rehman

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Mishall is a freelance journalist pursuing her passion for writing in her new homeland Canada. She currently lives in Trenton, ON with her husband.

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