FORT MCMURRAY, AB – Bell Let’s Talk national spokesperson Clara Hughes visited students in Fort McMurray on Monday, the first of six cities on a tour leading up to Bell Let's Talk Day 2017 on January 25.
Hughes (pictured centre) was joined by Bell Let's Talk ambassador and singer/songwriter Séan McCann and program chair Mary Deacon. A $20,000 Bell Let's Talk Community Fund grant was announced to support the FRIENDS program, a cognitive behaviour, group-based intervention program focused on promoting emotional resilience in confronting anxiety and depression.
In addition, Unity Charity will also receive a $20,000 grant to support Northern Alberta First Nation Express Your Stress Arts Educational Program, a series of school-based programs focused on anxiety, depression, awareness and stigma.
"We're so happy to be here to meet with the incredible students of École McTavish Junior High and other friends and partners here in Fort McMurray! We're talking about the ways we can help boost youth mental health here in Northern Alberta and everywhere in Canada, and some of the great local programs that are helping to lead the way," said Hughes, in the news release. "Canada and the whole world know what Fort McMurray and region have been through, and we also know the incredible resilience of the people here. I'm looking forward to learning a lot on our visit and to taking new ideas about mental health forward as we prepare for Bell Let's Talk Day on January 25."
Other stops on the tour will include Iqaluit on January 18, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue on January 19, Halifax on January 20, Ottawa on January 23, and Kingston on January 24.
