Breaking the Silence with Bell Let’s Talk Day

Mental illness, also known as psychiatric disorders, affect many people.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada,

• One in three Canadians will experience a mental illness or substance use disorder in their lifetime;
• More than ten Canadians die by suicide each day;
• Suicide rates among Indigenous youth are among the highest in the world;
• Only 57% of Canadian adults and 43% of Canadian youth report a high capacity to cope with unexpected and difficult problems and day-to-day demands; and
• Hardship, trauma, family violence and stigma have been linked to an increased risk of suicide, substance use and mental illness.

To raise awareness and support for those who suffer, Bell has started a campaign called Bell Let’s Talk Day. Tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan 31, 2018, is this year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day.

“On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell will donate more towards mental health initiatives in Canada, by contributing 5¢ for every applicable text, call, tweet, social media video view and use of our Facebook frame or Snapchat filter.”

With #BellLetsTalkDay coming up, it's important that we prepare to not only have an open and honest conversation, but think of ways to be part of the solution. https://t.co/Qspem0ffkm

— Mental Health Foundation (@MentalHealthAB) January 25, 2018

What bothers me the most about #BellLetsTalkDay is that people who once dismissed or mocked my mental health, or even contributed to it, now try and sponsor/advocate saying they would never hurt someone or discriminate due to their mental health

— Karlie Foster (@chasingKARs_) January 27, 2018

Being an individual who has dealt with mental illness and still does to this day, I’m going to ignore all those people I mentioned in my last tweet and indulge in the positivity everyone else is spreading 💙😌 No time for imbeciles 🤷🏻‍♀️ #MentalHealthMatters #BellLetsTalkDay

— Rose🌹 (@roselightle) January 30, 2018

One of the faces of the Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign this year, Dr. Ian Manion, a clinical psychologist, spoke to CTV News saying, “I remember being a little kid where there were people coming over, and I was very anxious, and I remember going and hiding in a closet because I just wasn’t going to be able to handle it. And being in the closet and saying, ‘If I stop hold my breath long enough, will I stop breathing and go away?’ So at a young age, I was starting to think about suicidal thoughts. I didn’t know they were suicidal thoughts, but I knew I didn’t want to feel this way anymore. Suicidal thoughts followed me for quite a while.”

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Canada’s Minister of Health, says, “Throughout my career, I have been a strong advocate for mental health, suicide prevention and family violence prevention. Maintaining and improving our mental health and wellbeing requires all of us to work together to promote mental health, prevent mental illness and support access to timely and high-quality treatment. As Canada’s new Minister of Health, I am pleased to have the opportunity to champion mental health initiatives on behalf of the Government of Canada.”

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, be sure to use the hashtag #BellLetsTalk on Twitter, use the Bell Let’s Talk filter on Snapchat and watch the Bell Let’s Talk video on Facebook and Instagram. Show your support for those who are battling with their mind every moment of every day.