MONTREAL – Canadian universities and colleges in every province have pledged to help grow the campus conversation about mental health in support of Bell Let's Talk Day on January 31.
Some 128 campuses nationwide, representing a student population of more than a million, will join in Bell Let's Talk Day activities. More than 150 on-campus conferences and other events are planned already, including participation by student-athletes who are helping spread the conversation again this year at more than 100 varsity and collegiate games leading up to Bell Let's Talk Day.
As a national day to spark the conversation about mental health, Bell Let's Talk Day can help student services departments showcase various mental health programs already offered on campus, while also helping schools achieve their own mental health goals.
“(Last year’s) student-athlete initiative clearly showed that mental health is a priority for students on Canadian campuses”, said Mary Deacon, chair of Bell Let's Talk, in the news release. “This year, we're building on that momentum as we expand the conversation to 128 universities and colleges throughout the country. On January 31, we encourage all students around the country to join in, share their own stories and help fight the stigma around mental illness."
On January 31, Bell will donate 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for each of these interactions at no extra cost to participants:
- Text and talk: Every text message, mobile and long distance call made by Bell Canada, Bell Aliant and Bell MTS customers
- Twitter: Every tweet using #BellLetsTalk and Bell Let's Talk Day video view
- Facebook: Every view of the Bell Let's Talk Day video at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk and use of the Bell Let's Talk frame
- Instagram: Every Bell Let's Talk Day video view
- Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let's Talk filter and video view
