MONTREAL – Bell has launched the third annual Bell Let's Talk campaign in support of Canadian mental health and on February 12 will donate 5¢ more to mental health for every text and long distance call by Bell and Bell Aliant customers, tweets using #BellLetsTalk, and Facebook shares of the Bell Let's Talk image. National Bell Let's Talk spokesperson Clara Hughes again leads the campaign to encourage all Canadians to join in the conversation about mental illness to help end the stigma.
In 2012, 8 million Canadians answered Hughes’ call with more than 78 million text messages, long distance calls and retweets on Bell Let's Talk Day, resulting in $3,926,014.20 in additional funding for mental health initiatives across the country.
"It's been so wonderful to hear the voices of Canadians from coast to coast to coast join in the conversation about mental health with Bell Let's Talk," said Hughes, Canada's six-time Olympic medalist. "Every day, 500,000 Canadians miss work due to mental illness. Not because they're lazy, not because they're having fun, but because they're sick and need help. Talking openly about mental illness lets people know that they shouldn't be afraid to get the support they need – at home, at work, in their community. On February 12, let's talk Canada!"
Bell also announced that its annual $1 million Bell Let's Talk Community Fund will again distribute grants of up to $50,000 for community-based mental health initiatives across the country this year. Organizations including registered not-for-profits, charities, local hospitals and social services agencies can apply for funding. The 2013 application period is open until March 31 and grants will be disbursed before December 31, 2013. Grants are given to capacity-building projects aimed at creating or expanding programs that provide front-line support and/or reduce the stigma for those impacted by mental health issues.
"In 2012 the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund invested in 60 local mental health organizations across Canada," said Mary Deacon, Chair of the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative. "These organizations are making such a positive impact in the lives of people with mental health issues in our communities. Now in its third year, we look forward to growing the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund and working with more partners in 2013."
Both Bell Let's Talk Day set and the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund are part of Bell's 5-year, $50 million mental health initiative. Bell's Let's Talk mental health initiative is based on four action pillars: anti-stigma, care and access, research, and workplace best practices.
"We're making significant progress in the fight to end the stigma, but two out of three people with mental health issues still suffer in silence. The impact of mental illness on our economy is estimated to be at least $51 billion a year. With one in five Canadians suffering from a mental illness in their lifetimes, the impact on people's lives is incalculable," said George Cope, President and CEO of Bell Canada and BCE. "On Bell Let's Talk Day, we can let all those who continue to struggle with mental illness know they have our support."
Starting today, Bell Let's Talk 2013 will be supported by a national promotional campaign featuring Hughes as well as author, composer and performer Stefie Shock and actor-comedian Michel Mpambara in Québec. Joining the Bell Let's Talk team this year is award-winning journalist and CTV National News team correspondent Seamus O'Regan. Together Hughes, Shock, Mpambara and O’Reagan will lead the national conversation about mental health throughout the day on February 12.
There are many ways to join in and support Bell Let's Talk Day including:
• Create a text chain: text 10 friends and have them text it to 10 friends, and so on
• Join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BellCanada
• Follow us @Bell_LetsTalk and tweet using #BellLetsTalk
• Use the online conversation toolkit at Bell.ca/LetsTalk to encourage others to support Bell Let's Talk Day
