Whether it’s through a family member, a friend or a colleague mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some point in their life. Mental health is affected by many different factors including genetic, biological, environmental and personality differences.
A main problem with mental health is the stigma and discrimination around it. It creates a barrier to diagnose and treat mental health. This is what Bell is trying to change.
Bell Let’s Talk is an initiative created by Bell to create more awareness for mental health. The program began in 2010 and continues this Wednesday, January 31st. Bell has raised over $86 million as of today and hopes to raise $100 million by the year the 2020.
The initiative has been so successful because of how easy it is to donate. Bell donates 5 cents for every tweet or instagram using the #BellLetsTalk, every snapchat using the Bell Let’s Talk geo-filter and every text message or call sent by Bell users.
Bell Let’s Talk has seen support from many big names including Howie Mandel and former Olympian Clara Hughes. Andrew Jensen a spokesperson for Bell Let’s Talk mentions that Bell Let’s Talk day is the one day people will really listen to you, use the hashtag to your advantage if you are looking for help.
On Bell Let’s Talk day let’s all do our part in donating to this serious issue. Not only that let’s actually talk to people, most people just need someone to talk to.
