Mental health awareness grows with Bell Let’s Talk campaign

January 28^th marks the Bell Let’s Talk social media initiative, which sees five cents raised for every tweet using #BellLetsTalk. Bell has committed over $67.5 million to support mental health organizations across the country. The campaign is aimed at overcoming the stigma associated with mental health illnesses, and promote those who may be suffering to open up and seek out help.

The Canadian Mental Health Association in London is doing their part to support the initiative. Along with their own social media platforms on Twitter and Facebook, the CMHA is encouraging those who may be suffering with a mental health disorder to start the conversation and find help.

The CMHA utilizes a number of different programs to ensure they can help everyone who is in need. Their goal is to help everyone who needs help find the support necessary to overcome their illness and reintegrate themselves back into society.

One of their most successful programs has seen 37 individuals who have been diagnosed with mental health illnesses find success with Impact Junk Solutions, a social enterprise created by CMHA. Working together, these individuals have had tremendous success, and received a warm welcome from all of their clients.

With all of the cases they see at the CMHA, such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, Manager of Community Programs Kevin Dickins has seen firsthand how difficult it can be for mental health victims to come forward and talk about their illness. He hopes to see initiatives like Bell Let’s Talk bring the conversation to the public sphere, and make mental health illnesses a topic worth talking about.