Bell Let’s Talk on Monday launched its new “Let’s create real change” campaign in support of its annual mental health initiative Bell Let’s Talk Day, which will take place Jan. 24 this year.
“Building on the shift in emphasis that Bell Let’s Talk started in 2023 towards actions that we can all take every day, the focus for 2024 will put the spotlight on mental health organizations across the country that are providing supports and services for Canadians experiencing mental health issues — organizations that Bell Let’s Talk is proud to support,” reads a press release.
Starting on Jan. 24 and throughout the year, everyone is encouraged to take meaningful action and show their support for mental health “so that all Canadians can access the mental health and addiction supports they need,” the release says.
According to Bell Let’s Talk statistics, more than 200 Canadians will attempt suicide every day and 12 will die. Half of Canadians struggling with mental health issues aren’t receiving the help they need, according to Bell Let’s Talk, and one in eight people have struggled with severe anxiety. The number of opioid overdose deaths in Canada is 21 per day, Bell Let’s Talk says.
“Despite tremendous progress, real change is needed for Canadians who are struggling with their mental health,” Mirko Bibic, president and CEO of Bell Canada and BCE, said in the release. “We encourage everyone to join us on January 24 and start a year of action to help address the mental health crisis our country is facing.”
As part of its “Let’s create real change” campaign, Bell Let’s Talk offers the following list of suggested actions:
- Choose a mental health organization to learn about or support
- Help a friend struggling with their mental health by learning how to support them
- Ask about how your school, workplace or community is creating change for mental health
- Nurture your own well-being by practising and learning mental health strategies
- Get involved in a mental health initiative or organize an event to support mental health
- Engage in conversations about mental health to fight stigma
Throughout its nationwide multimedia campaign, Bell Let’s Talk will feature 25 mental health organizations and services, such as Canada’s new 988 suicide crisis helpline, that are working to address the mental health crisis and creating real change for people in their communities.
As part of its ongoing funding commitment to mental health, Bell says it expects to reach its current commitment of $155 million by 2025. Bell Let’s Talk 2024 funding announcements will include support via the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund, the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund, the Bell Let’s Talk Post-Secondary Fund, the Bell True Patriot Love Fund, and new funding for other mental health projects, the press release says.
To support the new Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign, Bell Media will feature special mental health content in English and French across its TV, radio and digital properties, including a new French language documentary, Le Clown Est Triste, available on Canal Vie, Crave, Noovo.ca and later on Noovo.
Image provided by Bell Let’s Talk.
