It’s Bell Let’s Talk Day! CMHA thanks Bell for its continued commitment and efforts to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and change people’s behaviours and attitudes about mental health issues in communities across Canada. The discrimination and stigma associated with mental health issues and mental illness in our society is still pervasive. Many people experiencing poor mental health do not want to talk about it or seek the help they need because of the discrimination and stigma they experience on a daily basis. Bell Let’s Talk encourages people to “start the conversation” about mental health with friends, family and co-workers, recognizing that simply talking makes a significant impact in breaking down stigma and eliminating discrimination.
You can support Bell’s annual campaign by encouraging Canadians to start talking about mental health and additions.
This year’s campaign will focus on five ways to help end the stigma and discrimination around mental illness:
- Language matters – pay attention to the words you use about mental illness
- Educate yourself – learn, know and talk more, understand the signs
- Be kind – small acts of kindness speak a lot
- Listen and ask – sometimes it’s best to just listen
- Talk about it – start a dialogue, break the silence
Bell will donate today 5¢ to mental health initiatives for every:
· Text message sent and long distance call made by Bell customers
· Tweet using #BellLetsTalk
· Facebook shares of the Bell Let’s Talk image
Bell will also donate an additional 5¢ to mental health initiatives for every Tweet with the hashtag #BellLetsTalk and/or Facebook post with the special Bell Let’s Talk image. And if you are a Bell or Bell Alliant customer, Bell will also donate 5¢ for every single text message sent or long distance call made on that same day.
Last year, 109,451,718 tweets, texts, calls and shares raised an additional $5,472,585.90 for mental health organizations as well as new mental health care, research and workplace initiatives.