- $1 million fund enhances access
to care through community mental health organizations
- Apply on line at Bell.ca/LetsTalk
MONTREAL, Jan. 24, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced
that applications are open for the annual $1-million Bell Let's Talk Community Fund, which
provides grants ranging from $5,000
up to $50,000 for community-based
mental health initiatives from coast to coast to coast.
"The Bell Let's Talk Community Fund is dedicated to improving
access to mental health care and fighting the stigma around mental
illness at the grassroots level in every region of Canada," said
Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's
Talk. "Since 2011, more than 150 local mental health organizations
in communities large and small have relied on grants from the Fund.
We look forward to welcoming more community partners to Bell Let's
Talk in 2014."
Registered not-for-profit organizations, charities, hospitals
and social services agencies are invited to apply for funding of
localized mental health programs. The 2014 application period
is open until March 31 via the
Bell.ca/LetsTalk web site and grants will be disbursed before
December 31, 2014.
"The mental health of Canadians is important to our Government,"
said The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health. "The Bell
Let's Talk Community Fund is an invaluable resource which provides
funds for community-based mental health initiatives. I applaud Bell
for continuing to make these important investments, which go a long
way in promoting the mental health of our children, families and
Canadian communities."
While 20% of Canadians will experience a mental illness in their
lifetimes, 2 in 3 suffer in silence for fear of being judged or
rejected because of the continuing stigma. The Bell Let's Talk
Community Fund is focused on enabling local, grassroots
organizations in every province and territory to fight the stigma
and enhance care options in their communities.
"Thanks to the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund for supporting our
vision. As a result of this collaboration, we are empowering our
three First Nation communities to become safer and stronger by
reducing the risk of suicide," said Michele
Bushey, a member of the Miramichi
Community Suicide Prevention Committee in New Brunswick, a recipient of a Bell Let's
Talk Community Fund grant in 2013. "We are proud to implement
SafeTALK as a protective factor in our fellow First Nations
communities."
To apply online for 2014 funding, please visit
Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Bell Let's Talk Day is January
28
Launched in 2010, the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a
national charitable program that promotes mental health across
Canada with significant funding for community care, research, and
workplace best practices, and fights the stigma around mental
illness with high-profile events like Bell Let's Talk Day. Set for
January 28, 2014, the fourth annual
Bell Let's Talk Day invites Canadians to join the conversation and
help end the stigma around mental illness.
On Bell Let's Talk Day, Bell donates 5
cents for every text, mobile call, and long distance call
made by Bell and Bell Aliant customers, every tweet using
#BellLetsTalk, and every Facebook share of the Bell Let's Talk Day
image. Bell's donations are made at no extra charge to Bell Let's
Talk Day participants, though normal long distance or text charges,
if any, apply.
To date, Bell has already committed $62,043,289.30 to Canadian mental health, based
on its original $50 million
commitment and participation in Bell Let's Talk Day since 2011.
So far this year, Bell Let's Talk has announced a $2.5 million donation for Kids Help Phone to
support the mental health of young people in Canada; the $1
million Bell Canada Chair in Adolescent Mood & Anxiety
Disorders at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto; $225,000 for the Université Laval Foundation in
Québec City to support student mental health; and, in partnership
with Morneau Shepell and Queen's
University, Canada's first university-certified workplace mental
health training program in support of Canada's National Standard
for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.
To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing
consumers and business customers with wireless, TV, Internet, home
phone and business communications services. Bell Media is Canada's
premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio
and digital media. Bell is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc.
(TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more information, please visit Bell.ca
SOURCE Bell Canada