- $1 million to support local
projects improving access to mental health care
- Over 250 groups from coast to coast to coast have already
shared more than $5 million in
grants
- Visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk for more information and to apply
MONTRÉAL, Jan. 22, 2016 /CNW
Telbec/ - Bell today announced the launch of the $1-million annual Bell Let's Talk Community Fund
for 2016. Applications are now being accepted for grants for
community-based mental health initiatives improving access to care
around the country.
"The Bell Let's Talk Community Fund is focused on improving
access to care for people living with mental health issues through
local projects and grassroots organizations in communities all
around Canada," said Mary Deacon,
Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "Over the last 5 years we have seen so
many wonderful initiatives that have truly made a difference in the
lives of Canadians and we are delighted to invite many more local
mental health organizations to apply for grants again this
year."
Since 2011, the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund has supported
more than 250 community groups in every region of Canada.
Registered not-for-profit organizations and registered charities
are invited to apply for a grant to help fund local mental health
programs. Applications are reviewed by mental health experts
from across Canada. The 2016 application period runs until
March 31 and 2016 Fund grants will be
disbursed before December 31,
2016.
"It is important to recognize that we need to take care of our
mental health the same way as we take care of our physical health.
However, mental health sometimes gets overlooked," said the
Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health. "The Bell Let's Talk
initiative has been successfully opening up the dialogue on mental
health in Canada. I congratulate
Bell, its partners and Canadians who are sharing their personal
struggles with mental illness as a way of encouraging everyone to
get involved in finding solutions."
"Northern Ontarians deserve healthy communities that promote
good mental health and well-being, as well as a responsive,
culturally appropriate mental health care delivery system. This
does not yet exist in all our Northern
Ontario communities," said Dr. Catherine Cervin, Associate Dean, Postgraduate
Education, at Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). "With
funding from the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund, NOSM is creating
Wellness Peer Networks to provide further education to NOSM
residents to enable them to protect their own mental health during
the stress of their education, while also equipping them with the
ability to provide high-quality care to future patients who may be
struggling with mental health challenges. We are grateful for the
support of Bell Let's Talk in developing a healthier Northern Ontario."
To learn more about the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund and the
projects it has funded, or to apply for 2016 funding, please visit
Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Bell Let's Talk Day is January
27
The 6th annual Bell Let's Talk Day is rapidly
approaching. For every text message, wireless and long distance
call made by Bell Canada and Bell
Aliant customers on January 27, or
for every tweet using #BellLetsTalk, and every Facebook share of
the Bell Let's Talk Day image at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk, Bell
will donate 5 cents to support
Canadian mental health programs. On Bell Let's Talk Day 2015, a
record 122,150,772 calls, tweets, texts, calls and shares resulted
in Bell committing a further $6,107,538.60 to Canadian
mental health programs.
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.
About Bell Let's Talk
The Bell Let's Talk initiative
promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and
anti-stigma campaigns, like Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk
and Bell Let's Talk Day, and significant Bell funding of community
care and access, research, and workplace initiatives. To learn
more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
To learn more about the Bell Let's Talk campaign, and to
download the Bell Let's Talk toolkit to help get the conversation
started, 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, out of home, and digital media. Bell is wholly
owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more
information, please visit Bell.ca
Media inquiries:
Jacqueline Michelis
613 785-1427
jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_News
SOURCE Bell Canada