INFORMATION RELEASE For immediate distribution
Mental Health Commission of Canada applauds Bell Let’s Talk Day
Calgary, Alberta, February 12, 2013 – The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is encouraging Canadians to get involved in Bell Let’s Talk Day, a mental health awareness and anti‐stigma campaign.
The campaign focuses the attention of Canadians on issues that are also central to the MHCC's work, including the stigma of mental illness, community care, research and mental health in the workplace.
“Bell Let’s Talk Day has the potential once again this year for tremendous impact, by raising awareness and contributing a great deal to the conversation about mental health in Canada,” says MHCC President and CEO Louise Bradley. “One in five Canadians lives with a mental health problem or illness in a given year. We applaud Bell’s commitment to initiatives that will help improve the lives of millions of Canadians.”
Text messages and long distance calls by Bell Canada and Bell Alliant customers throughout the day will be used to support donations to mental health programs across the country. Tweets using the hashtag
#BellLetsTalk and Facebook shares of the Bell Let’s Talk image will also generate donations.
Bell Canada and the MHCC have partnered on several initiatives in recent years. Just last month, Bell Canada participated as a funding partner in the release of the MHCC’s National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.
Over the past year funding announcements by Bell Canada and Bell Aliant facilitated Mental Health First Aid training (a program of the MHCC) to post‐secondary institutions, including at the College of the North Atlantic in St. John’s Newfoundland.
Last year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day raised $3,926,014.20 in additional funding for mental health initiatives across the country. To join the conversation and for more information about Bell Let's Talk Day visit bell.ca/letstalk.
ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a catalyst for change. We are collaborating with hundreds of partners to change the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support. Our goal is to help people who live with mental health problems and illnesses lead meaningful and productive lives. Together we spark change.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is funded by Health Canada.
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca strategy.mentalhealthcommission.ca
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Media Contact:
Kyle Marr, Senior Communication Specialist Mental Health Commission of Canada Office: (403) 385‐4050
Cell: (587) 226‐8782
kmarr@mentalhealthcommission.ca
The views represented herein solely represent the views of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Production of this document is made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada.
