#BellLetsTalk — Join the Conversation!
Today, on #BellLetsTalk Day, I invite you to join the conversation!
Join Millions of Canadians who come together to speak out, break down stigma, and talk openly about mental health. We’ve come so far, but there’s still a long way to go.
For every applicable text, call, #BellLetsTalk-tagged tweet, or social media video view, Bell Canada will donate 5¢ to mental health initiatives across Canada. It's that simple. Learn more about the initiative at: letstalk.bell.ca
For every view of this video, Bell will donate 5¢ to mental health initiatives.
These past two years have taken a toll on our mental health, but support is available. Please know, it is okay to not be okay. Please reach out and seek help if needed. Visit the Wellness Together Canada website or use the new PocketWell app to access free 24/7 mental health and substance use support!
The pandemic has been a significant source of stress for most Canadians, and our mental health has suffered. Business owners have struggled to stay afloat. Many workers have faced unemployment. Parents have had to adjust to working from home. Students have had to adapt to online learning. Front-line health care workers bravely continued providing care, faced with extremely stressful working conditions and the worry of bringing home the COVID-19 virus. We’ve all made sacrifices to keep each other and our communities safe, which has taken a toll on our mental health.
Mental health is essential to our overall well-being and is as important as physical health. When we feel mentally well, we can work productively, enjoy our free time, and contribute actively to our communities. That’s why the Government of Canada is working to ensure that mental health is treated as a full and equal part of Canada’s universal public health care system.
Last year, we launched the Wellness Together Canada portal, which has been accessed by over 1.7 million Canadians, providing free and confidential access to live support, direct crisis counselling, and helpful mental health and substance use resources.
We are also working hard to address the root causes affecting one’s mental health by righting some of the inequities in our country. This includes creating safe and supportive communities by investing in charities and community organizations, supporting seniors at home, fighting homelessness, and addressing systemic racism.
Our Government believes that all Canadians should have the care they need, when they need it. That’s why our Government:
Is currently establishing a 9-8-8 crisis line for Canadians in distress, so Canadians have a memorable number they can call when they need help.
Delivered $50M in Budget 2021 to Health Canada to support a trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stream of mental health programming for populations at high risk of experiencing COVID-19 trauma and those exposed to various trauma brought about by COVID-19.
Provided $7.5 million to Kids Help Phone to help provide young people with mental health support during the coronavirus crisis.
Addressed immediate needs and gaps in the support and protection of Canadians experiencing challenges related to mental health, substance use, or homelessness with an investment of $500M.
Invested $100M to support projects for innovative mental health interventions for populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including health care workers, front-line workers, youth, seniors, Indigenous people, and racialized and Black Canadians.
Evolved the Military Family Services to a virtual platform, which in turn expanded support in emergency family care, mental health counselling, family and intimate partner violence support, virtual health care, children and youth mental health counselling, spousal employment, and non-clinical social support.
Created Canada's first dedicated ministry for mental health and substance use, and Canada's first Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
Although one in three Canadians will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives, many don’t seek out the treatment or support they need because of fear of stigmatization. Here are some ways to talk about mental illness, show your support, and help those who are facing mental health challenges seek help:
Be kind: Small acts of kindness make a big difference
Educate yourself: Learn about and talk more about the signs of mental illness
Language matters: Pay attention to the words you use about mental health and illness
Listen and ask: Sometimes, it’s best to just listen
Talk about it: Start a dialogue and break the silence
For more resources and to learn about Bell Let’s Talk, please visit letstalk.bell.ca.
