- $250,000 donation to support
safeTALK suicide prevention efforts
- Clara Hughes visits Iqaluit for launch of community-based mental
health program
- Part of Bell Let's Talk's $1
million commitment to Canada's northern communities
IQALUIT, Jan. 18, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell Let's Talk
and Northwestel today announced $250,000 in funding for a new mental health
program to be delivered by Nunavut's Embrace Life Council, a non-profit
suicide prevention organization based in Iqaluit.
The safeTALK program will provide a half-day of training to
Nunavummiut over the age of 15 to become suicide-alert peer helpers
and connect those in their community who need support with
life-saving intervention resources.
"We work closely with communities in Nunavut and many other partners to help those
struggling with suicidal thoughts and other mental health issues,"
said Kimberly Masson, Executive
Director of the Embrace Life Council. "Once trained, our safeTALK
helpers will be able to guide those Nunavummiut who are struggling
with pain and trauma towards additional resources that encourage
and promote life."
On hand for the announcement are Bell Let's Talk spokesperson
Clara Hughes, program chair
Mary Deacon and Northwestel CEO
Paul Flaherty. The team is visiting
Nunavut's capital Iqaluit as part of Clara's journey to several
Canadian cities highlighting community-based mental health
initiatives in advance of Bell Let's Talk Day on January 25.
The $250,000 in funding for
safeTALK is part of Bell Let's Talk and Northwestel's $1 million commitment to support mental health
programs in the North, which also includes funding for Nunavut
Kamatsiaqtut Help Line, a free service providing anonymous and
confidential telephone counselling in Inuktitut and English.
"Nunavut is a truly unique and
special place and I am always humbled by the incredible kindness
and generosity of the people who live here. At the same time, life
in some of Canada's most remote communities comes with its own
special challenges, and it's clear that additional mental health
support will have a positive impact for many Nunavummiut," said
Clara. "We are very pleased to work with Embrace Life Council and
Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line, great community-based organizations
that build on the tremendous care and respect the people of
Nunavut have for family, friends
and community."
"Northwestel works closely with Bell Let's Talk to contribute to
the well-being of Canada's northern communities," said Paul Flaherty. "Help starts within the community
first, and that's why we're very pleased to partner with local peer
support mental health initiatives like safeTALK and territory-wide
services like Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line."
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers suicide to be a
major global health issue. The suicide rate in Nunavut is approximately 10 times higher than
the national average for Canada – and the rate among Inuit males
aged 15-29 living in Canada's Arctic regions is 40 times the
national average.
"There is an incredible power of people working towards a common
cause," said Hon. George Hickes,
Nunavut's Minister responsible for
suicide prevention. "In Nunavut,
people are working together in our journey of hope, help and
healing. The adaptation of safeTALK will provide one more resource
for Nunavummiut to help others in this journey."
"We know that most people who are thinking about ending their
lives give warning signs of their intentions," said Mary Deacon. "By furthering the community's
ability to address the warning signs and help those in need as
quickly as possible, safeTALK will make a positive difference in
the lives of many Nunavummiut."
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 call 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 Let's Talk Day 2016 set new records for engagement with
125.9 million messages of support, and Bell increased its funding
for Canadian mental health by $6,295,764.75.
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 the Embrace Life Council
Embrace Life Council is
a non-profit suicide prevention organization based in
Iqaluit, Nunavut. We began with
the recognition that there needed to be a coordinated
initiative in addressing the high suicide rates in
Nunavut. Through partnership efforts between the Government
of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, and many others, we were established in
2004.
About Northwestel
Northwestel Inc. services the
largest operating area of any telecommunications company in the
western hemisphere over the most remote and rugged terrain in
Canada. It provides a complete range of voice, video and data
solutions to residential and business customers in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta.
Media inquiries:
Jacqueline Michelis
Bell
(613) 785-1427
jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_News
Andrew Rankin
Northwestel
(867) 333-9236
media@nwtel.ca
Kimberly Masson
Embrace Life Council
(867) 975-3233 ext. 226
kmasson@inuusiq.com
SOURCE Bell Canada