- $1 million annual fund supports
local access to community mental health care
- Almost 350 groups around Canada have received Community Fund
grants since 2011
- Visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk to learn more and apply for a grant
MONTRÉAL, Jan. 17, 2017 /CNW
Telbec/ - Bell today announced the launch of the annual
$1-million Bell Let's Talk Community
Fund for 2017. Grant applications are now being accepted for local
mental health initiatives that improve access to care in
communities around the country.
"Over the past 6 years the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund has
supported 344 grassroots mental health initiatives in communities
all around Canada," said Mary
Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "As part of our broader
national initiative, the Community Fund takes a localized approach
to improving the lives of people who struggle with mental illness
in every region. We look forward to supporting many more local
organizations doing great work on the front lines in 2017."
Registered charities are invited to apply for a grant up to
$25,000 to help fund local mental
health programs, and all submitted applications are reviewed by a
committee of mental health experts from across Canada. The 2017
application period runs until March
31 and all 2017 grants will be disbursed before December 31, 2017.
"As Minister of Health, I know how important it is that we take
action to reduce stigma around mental illness, and improve access
to mental health care," said the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister
of Health. "I congratulate Bell, its partners and all Canadians who
are taking part in Bell Let's Talk. By sharing personal stories and
struggles, Canadians are bringing mental wellness into the
spotlight and helping to end the stigma by engaging in a national
conversation. Remember, there is no health without mental
health."
"Madison Community Services supports a large number of refugees
who come to Canada," said Madison's Executive Director Jean Stevenson. "As was recognized in the recent
Senate Committee on Human Rights Report, post-traumatic stress
disorder further complicates what is already a challenging
transition for many refugees coming to Canada to make a new life.
With the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund grant, Madison is ensuring
that refugees with mental health challenges receive the counseling
and mental health care they need to make a successful transition to
their new country."
To learn more about the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund and to
apply for 2017 funding, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Bell Let's Talk Day is January
25
On January 25, Bell
will donate 5 cents to Canadian
mental health programs for each of these interactions at no extra
charge to participants:
- Every text message, mobile and long distance call made by
Bell Canada and Bell Aliant
customers.
- Twitter: Every tweet using #BellLetsTalk
- Facebook: Every view of the Bell Let's Talk Day video at
Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk
- Instagram: Every post using #BellLetsTalk
- Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let's Talk Snapchat
geofilter
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.
With Bell Let's Talk Day 2016 setting new records with 125.9
million messages of support, Bell increased its funding for
Canadian mental health by $6,295,764.75 last year. With its original anchor
donation of $50 million and the
results of the first 6 Bell Let's Talk Days, Bell's total funding
commitment for mental health now stands at $79,919,178.55, and is expected to surpass
$100 million in 2020.
About Bell Let's Talk
The Bell Let's Talk initiative
promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and
anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day, and significant
Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace
initiatives. 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