In 2010 Bell started a program in order to change the conversation about mental health in Canada. Now every 30th of January, Bell has pledged to increase their donations based on the activity of Canadians. Bell will donate 5 cents for every text, call, tweet, social media video view and Facebook frame or Snapchat filter sent on the 30th.
The Let’s Talk program is designed to create and promote an open discussion about mental health. The program achieves this by accentuating four key aspects: anti-stigma, care & access, research, and workplace health.
In the past certain language and behaviours about and towards mental health resulted in a stigma surrounding it. The Let’s Talk program aims to reduce this stigma by promoting a conversation of understanding and support. Reducing the stigma around mental health is crucial in supporting those suffering from it.
In order to provide Canadians with the care they need, the program allocates funds to hospitals, universities, and other care agencies. By supporting these institutions, they are then able to support Canadians.
Supporting institutions such as universities also ties in with the third pillar: research. Investing in universities and other research programs allows for them to improve therapies for mental illness.
The leading cause of workplace disability is mental health. Due to this, the program promotes the voluntary Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, and Bell itself has adopted it.
When you text, call, tweet etc. on the 30th of January, you are supporting these four pillars. Likewise, by promoting the program, using proper language, being kind, or just talking about mental health, you are making a world of difference. Not just to the Let’s Talk program, but to mental health itself.
“It gave me the comfort I needed”
“I want to thank all those who donated in support of the sleeper reclinerchairs. My husband has multiple health issues: Cancer, Crohn’s, Diabetes, Arthritis, COPD, Cardiovascular Disease, and Iritis. We spend a great deal of time in the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital and, quite often, the emergency department. These trying times are difficult for us […]
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