On February 12, let's talk about mental health and end the stigma around
mental illness
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On February 12, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health for every text
and long distance call by Bell and Bell Aliant customers, tweet using
#BellLetsTalk and Facebook share of the Bell Let's Talk image
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National spokesperson Clara Hughes along with Michel Mpambara and Stefie
Shock invite you to talk about mental illness to help end the stigma
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Seamus O'Regan joins the Bell Let's Talk team
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To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk
HALIFAX, Jan. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Bell and Bell Aliant today launched the
third annual nation-wide Bell Let's Talk Day campaign, inviting
Canadians to join the conversation about mental health on Bell Let's
Talk Day, February 12.
For every text message sent and every long distance call made by Bell
and Bell Aliant customers, every tweet using #BellLetsTalk and every
Facebook share of our Bell Let's Talk image on February 12, Bell will
donate 5 cents to programs dedicated to mental health (regular long
distance and text charges apply).In 2012, 8 million Canadians answered
the call with more than 78 million text messages and long distance
calls on Bell Let's Talk Day, resulting in over $3.9 million donated to
mental health initiatives across the country.
"The stigma associated with mental illness can be the biggest barrier to
people getting the help they need," said Karen Sheriff, President and
CEO, Bell Aliant. "We are proud to partner in this national initiative
once again, and we are encouraging our employees and our customers to
participate, so together we can help raise awareness and provide
much-needed assistance to the one in five Canadians impacted by mental
illness."
Starting today, Bell Let's Talk 2013 will be supported by a national
promotional campaign featuring Clara Hughes, Canada's six-time Olympic
medalist and national spokesperson for Bell Let's Talk, as well as
singer-songwriter Stefie Shock and Michel Mpambara, comedian and actor,
both from Quebec. Joining the Bell Let's Talk team this year is
award-winning journalist and CTV National News team correspondent
Seamus O'Regan. Together Clara, Stefie, Michel and Seamus will lead the
national conversation about mental health throughout the day on
February 12.
"Over the past two years Canadians from coast to coast to coast have
enthusiastically joined the conversation to talk about mental health on
Bell Let's Talk Day," said Ms. Hughes. "Every day 500,000 Canadians
miss work due to a form of mental illness, not because they are lazy or
enjoy it, but because they need help. So on February 12, let's talk
Canada!"
The Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a multi-year,
$50-million charitable program based on four action pillars:
anti-stigma, care and access, research, and workplace best practices.
With Bell Let's Talk Day as its anti-stigma centrepiece, the initiative
is providing significant funding for leading mental health hospitals
and grassroots organizations, driving new workplace initiatives across
corporate Canada, and supporting new research.
Mental health is a focus of Bell Aliant's community program. Since 2011,
Bell Aliant has given more than $1 million to support local programs
that reduce stigma, and increase access to care, such as Dots NB; Laing
House, NS; Health PEI and Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland &
Labrador.
Bell Let's Talk Community Fund 2013
The third annual Bell Let's Talk Community Fund also launched today, and
will distribute $1 million in 2013 to local organizations across Canada
that are working to end stigma and increasing access to mental health
care.
In 2012, Bell Aliant presented funding to 16 mental health organizations
that work directly to improve access to care across its communities,
including Friends for Life, NS; Capital Region Mental Health &
Addictions, NB; College of the North Atlantic, NL; and PEI Fire
Marshall's Office.
To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk, find us on Facebook.com/BellAliant and follow us on Twitter @Bell_Aliant.
About Bell Aliant
Bell Aliant (TSX: BA) is one of North America's largest regional
communications providers and the first company in Canada to cover an
entire city with fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology with its FibreOP™ services. Through its operating entities it serves customers in six
Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and
technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and
value-added business solutions. Bell Aliant's employees deliver the
highest quality of customer service, choice and convenience.
SOURCE: BELL ALIANT INC.