#BellLetsTalk Mental Health Awareness

[kirashi]

I do not work for Bell or any affiliates; just a concerned Canadian Citizen promoting the awareness of mental health.

#BellLetsTalk is a great cause and I hope this doesn't violate some obscure forum rule.

If it does, mods just delete the post, and I apologize in advance. If it stays up, I thank @LinusTech, @Windspeed36, and @Slick; and everyone else, of course.

@Bell_LetsTalk
Bell Let’s Talk Day Campaign Fact Sheet 
 
The Bell Let’s Talk Mental Health Initiative 
Since 2010 Bell has committed over $62 million to mental health related initiatives in Canada. The 
Bell Mental Health initiative supports an extensive range of programs to enhance mental health in 
every aspect of Canadian life. 

The four pillars of this initiative are:

• anti-stigma 
• community care and access 
• workplace mental health 
• research 

Bell Let’s Talk Day Campaign 

 

One of the key pillars of Bell’s Mental Health Initiative is anti-stigma. As part of Bell’s efforts to reduce the stigma of mental illness, the Bell Let’s Talk awareness campaign is engaging Canadians in a dialogue around mental health. 

With Olympian Clara Hughes front and centre once again, the fourth annual Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign features a national multi-media campaign that culminates on January 28, 2014. Joining Clara in the Bell Let’s Talk campaign again this year are Atlantic Canada’s Seamus O’Regan, Québec spokespeople Stefie Shock and Michel Mpambara and new ambassadors, former NHL star Joé Juneau, CFL veteran Shea Emry, musicians Robb Nash and Matthew Good, and stand-up comic Kevin Breel. Together, the Bell Let’s Talk team will be working to encourage Canadians to join them in the growing conversation about mental health. 
 
On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell will contribute $.05 to mental health related initiatives for every text message sent, mobile call and long distance call made by Bell and Bell Aliant customers, every tweet using #BellLetsTalk, and every Facebook share of the Bell Let's Talk Day image. Recognizing that simply talking makes a significant impact to help end the stigma of mental illness, the campaign encourages people to “start the conversation” about mental health and engage in dialogue with friends, family and co-workers.
 

• Mental health for all
• Staying on top of your game
• Everyone's concern
• Resiliency: at home, school, and work
• Stigma and discrimination
• Kids have stress too

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
What does stigma mean in the context of mental illness and why must it be addressed?
Many people living with a mental illness report that stigma (negative connotations of what mental illness is) and discrimination causes them more suffering than the illness itself. As a result, two thirds of those suffering from mental illness are too afraid to seek the help that they need.
 
Mental illness affects people of all ages and from all walks of life. It can take many forms, including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. Most individuals find ways to live with their illnesses but how they are treated by others often proves to be more of a challenge than the illness itself. Stigma and discrimination are key barriers that stop people from seeking help.
 
What can a reduction in the stigma associated with mental illness achieve?
Stigma surrounded many diseases in the past, but concerted efforts to confront these attitudes has resulted in change for the better, including better treatment, more funding for research, greater understanding from family, friends and colleagues, leading to a positive contribution to the lives of many. The goal is to achieve the same level of acceptance and understanding regarding mental illness.
 
How is Bell “engaging in a national conversation” surrounding mental health?

• “Engaging in a national conversation” means working with Canadians to help get the message out and break down the stigma surrounding mental health.
• Reducing stigma is the first pillar of our Mental Health program and our ongoing Let’s Talk national campaign
• Bell Let’s Talk Day, this year on January 28, 2014, is one way we are helping to start and sustain the conversation about mental health issues.
• By taking an active role in the conversation, Bell hopes to lead by example and encourage others to participate.
• By focusing on mental health and dedicating resources, we’re confident that we can positively contribute to the goals of de-stigmatizing mental illness, improving community care and access, supporting research and enhancing workplace health.

Why were Stefie Shock and Michel Mpambara added to the Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign?

Stefie and Michel are both highly recognised individuals in Quebec who have faced mental health issues. They both believe strongly in the importance of reducing the stigma around mental health to give new hope to people with mental illnesses and their loved ones.
 
Why have new ambassadors been added to the Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign?
Joining Clara in the Bell Let’s Talk campaign again this year are Atlantic Canada’s Seamus O’Regan, Québec spokespeople Stefie Shock and Michel Mpambara and new ambassadors, former NHL star Joé Juneau, CFL veteran Shea Emry, musicians Robb Nash and Matthew Good, and stand-up comic Kevin Breel.
 
They have all come forward in recognition that together, the Bell Let’s Talk team will be working to encourage Canadians to join them in the growing conversation about mental health. Each wanted to lend his voice to this extremely important cause and help make a difference.
 
What is the call to action for people to participate?
On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell will contribute $.05 to mental health related initiatives for every text message sent, mobile call and long distance call made by Bell and Bell Aliant customers, every tweet using #BellLetsTalk, and every Facebook share of the Bell Let's Talk Day image. Canadians can also download the Bell Let’s Talk toolkit [insert url] and begin their own conversations about mental health at home, school or in the workplace.
 
Is Bell Let’s Talk Day about raising additional funds for mental health?
Bell Let’s Talk Day is about increasing awareness, reducing stigma and helping to change behaviours and attitudes about mental health issues.
 
Are the funds being raised by Bell part of the multimillion dollar investment announced by Bell in September 2010?
The Bell Let’s Talk campaign is about increasing awareness, reducing stigma and helping to change behaviours and attitudes about mental health issues.
 
Since 2010 Bell has committed over $62 million to mental health initiatives in Canada. This represents our original $50 million commitment plus the results of our first 3 Bell Let’s Talk days, including 2013 when over 96 million texts and calls were made resulted in an additional $4.8 million contribution by Bell to mental health initiatives across the country.
 
Do you know specifically where the money raised from this campaign will go?
The Bell Let’s Talk campaign is not about raising money but raising awareness and ending stigma. All contributions are made by Bell.
 
How can people who are not Bell customers support Bell Let’s Talk Day?
Everyone can take part by tweeting using #BellLetsTalk, or sharing the Bell Let's Talk Day image on facebook. They can also download the Bell Let’s Talk toolkit at [insert url] and start a conversation about mental health.
 
What is Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk?
Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk is a national bicycle tour by Olympian Clara Hughes in support of mental health that begins in March 2014 and spans more than 100 days, 12,000 kilometres and every province and territory of Canada. The ride culminates on Canada Day, July 1 2014, in Ottawa.

[T.Vengeance]

The irony that an oligopoly company would do such a thing. Either way, it's nice that someone's speaking out about it  (Btw, the "kids have stress too" link is 404 dead)

[Picklenuttz]

$5.4 Million raised....good stuff!