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New program launched today by Clara Hughes here in Canada's
northern-most capital, on Day 50 of Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's
Talk
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Nunavut Kamatisiaqtut Help Line is the first beneficiary, with a cash
donation and communications services provided by Bell subsidiary
Northwestel
IQALUIT, NU, May 2, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell Let's Talk today announced
$1 million in funding for community mental health resources in Canada's
northern territories of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon.
The announcement comes as Olympian Clara Hughes visits Iqaluit,
Canada's northern-most capital city, on Day 50 of her Big Ride for Bell
Let's Talk.
Working with local healthcare and community leaders, Bell will invest $1
million over the next 5 years in mental health care and anti-stigma
programs in the 3 territories, with a focus on assisting Inuit and
First Nation youth at the community level.
"In all my visits to the North, I've been struck by the tremendous hope
and potential of the young people I meet. But with the reality of
often-isolated communities and fewer resources overall than in other
parts of Canada, I've also come to understand the real need for more
mental health support here," said Clara. "I'm so proud that Bell Let's
Talk is stepping up to directly address the unique mental health needs
in Canada's North."
Nunavut Kamatisiaqtut Help Line is the first beneficiary of this new
Bell Let's Talk funding, receiving a cash donation and communications
support from Bell's northern subsidiary Northwestel totaling
approximately $70,000 over 5 years.
Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut (meaning "thoughtful people who care" in Inuktitut)
Help Line provides anonymous and confidential telephone counselling for
Northerners 365 days a year. For more information, please visit NunavutHelpLine.ca. Help line numbers are 867-979-3333 or toll-free 1-800-265-3333, with
service currently available from 9 pm to midnight eastern time.
"As we celebrate the continuing success of Clara's Big Ride in growing
awareness and action in mental health across Canada, Bell Let's Talk is
proud to launch a program that directly addresses the need for expanded
mental health services here in the North," said George Cope, President
and CEO of Bell Canada and BCE, in Iqaluit. "With guidance from local
leaders, we're eager to move mental health forward in communities
across Canada's territories."
"We all have a role to play when it comes to mental health and that's
why our Government has made investments into research and programs to
address this important issue. I commend Bell Canada, Clara Hughes and
all their partners for taking a leadership role in such an important
issue facing all Canadians," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Member
of Parliament for Nunavut, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the
Arctic Council.
Share in Clara's Big Ride
Visiting communities in Canada's territories from April 30 to May 15,
Clara is now on Day 50 of her unprecedented 12,000-kilometre bike
journey around Canada to grow the mental health conversation in every
province and territory - with the ultimate objective of achieving a
nation free of the stigma around mental illness. Lasting a total of 110
days, Clara's Big Ride began on March 14 and will conclude in Ottawa on
Canada Day, July 1.
Everyone can participate in the Ride through community events and social
media. Please visit Bell.ca/ClarasBigRide or follow the latest Ride news on Twitter at @Bell_LetsTalk or on Facebook at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk.
Clara's Big Ride is powered by our National Partners - Aimia, BMO,
Canadian Tire, Cisco, Lundbeck, President's Choice and Samsung - who
are providing significant support for the Ride. For more information,
please visit Bell.ca/ClarasBigRide/Partners.
Bell Let's Talk
Bell Let's Talk is a national charitable program that promotes mental
health across Canada with Clara's Big Ride, the Bell Let's Talk Day
anti-stigma campaign and significant funding for community care,
research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
SOURCE Bell Canada
Image with caption: "Northwestel President Paul Flaherty and Bell Let's Talk spokesperson Clara Hughes make a donation to Sheila Levy, John Vander Velde, Eduardo Viega, and Lawrence Levy of Nunavut Kamatisiaqtut Help Line as Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk visits Iqaluit (CNW Group/Bell Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140502_C6337_PHOTO_EN_39878.jpg
