Events at more than 200 Canadian post-secondary institutions to
promote student mental health leading up to Bell Let's Talk Day on
January 30
MONTRÉAL, Jan. 9, 2019 /CNW
Telbec/ - In the lead up to Bell Let's Talk Day on January 30, university and college students in
every province and territory are promoting campus mental health
programs with guest speakers, conferences, information kiosks, and
varsity and collegiate athletic events. More than 340 events at 205
schools will invite students to be part of the world's biggest
mental health conversation while learning more about resources
available to them on campus.
Now reaching a national post-secondary student population of 1.6
million, the Bell Let's Talk campus campaign has been encouraging
student-led mental health conversations since it began in 2016 as a
student-athlete initiative at 11 Atlantic
Canada universities. The program grew to 100 varsity games
at 53 universities in 2017, and last year expanded into the
broader campus community with a broad range of events at 128
universities and colleges.
"With more than 200 universities and colleges part of the
campaign this year, it's clear that post-secondary students in
Canada have taken a real
leadership role in the mental health conversation," said
Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's
Talk. "These hundreds of student-led initiatives are growing
awareness of both the impact of mental illness and the resources
students can turn to for support, helping to ensure a
psychologically healthy and safe environment on campus."
"We are pleased that the Bell Let's Talk campaign continues to
expand to more universities and colleges across Canada," said
Jennifer Hamilton, Executive
Director of the Canadian Association of College and University
Student Services (CACUSS). "The membership of CACUSS is committed
to working with organizations like Bell to end stigma and promote
wellness education efforts on campus."
"Our participation in the Bell Let's Talk campaign helped
inspire more conversation on our campuses and the development of
Nova Scotia Community College's
own Mental Health Strategy," said Don Bureaux, President of
Nova Scotia Community College.
"Supporting mental wellness is an important part of building a
healthy community. By increasing awareness and supporting those
living with mental health challenges, we will foster a better
learning and working environment."
"Having conversations with our student athletes about mental
health and fighting the stigma around mental illness is important
to Canada West," said Rocky Olfert,
Managing Director of Canada West Universities Athletics
Association. "We are proud to be part of the Bell Let's Talk
initiative and its positive impact on students and their
communities across the country."
"Bell Let's Talk Day is a significant annual event for many
post-secondary institutions across Canada, including Queen's
University, to advance the conversation about mental health," said
Ann Tierney, Vice Provost and Dean
of Student Affairs at Queen's University. "Our students lead the
way in talking about their own experiences, and how they are
helping their peers. The Bell Let's Talk campaign is also an
opportunity for us to promote access to services and programs, and
enhance the ongoing dialogue about mental health, helping to foster
a healthier campus community for students, faculty and staff."
"Our network of colleges supports students day after day to
strengthen their mental health," said Bernard Tremblay, President of the Fédération
des CÉGEPs. "By participating in Bell Let's Talk, we are proud to
show students that raising awareness and reducing the stigma is a
top priority."
Last May, Bell and The Rossy Foundation partnered on a joint
$500,000 donation to the
Fédération des CÉGEPS and the Fondation de l'Université du Québec à
Montréal to improve the mental health of college students in
Québec. Those funds are enabling the broader implementation and
evaluation of the Zenétudes program, supporting students making the
transition from secondary school to college.
To see a complete list of participating universities and
colleges please click here.
According to Canada's most recent National College Health
Assessment Survey in 2016, 32% of students were diagnosed or
treated for anxiety or depression in the previous year. In
January 2018, Bell Let's Talk and The
Rossy Foundation announced a joint $1,000,000 donation to create a national
standard for post-secondary student mental health. Led by the
Mental Health Commission of Canada, the project will establish
mental health best practices at Canadian campuses to support
student success.
Join in on Bell Let's Talk Day
On January 30, Bell will donate 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for
each of the following interactions, at no extra cost to
participants beyond what they would normally pay their service
provider for online or phone access:
- Talk: Every mobile and every long distance call made by Bell
wireless and phone customers
- Text: Every text message sent by Bell wireless customers
- Twitter: Every tweet and retweet using #BellLetsTalk, featuring
the special Bell Let's Talk emoji, and every Bell Let's Talk Day
video view at Twitter.com/Bell_LetsTalk
- Facebook: Every Bell Let's Talk Day video view at
Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk and every use of the Bell Let's Talk
frame
- Instagram: Every Bell Let's Talk Day video view at
Instagram.com/Bell_letstalk
- Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let's Talk filter and every
Bell Let's Talk Day video view
Total Bell Let's Talk Day interactions since the first event in
2011 stand at 867,449,649 and are expected to exceed 1 billion on
January 30. Bell's funding commitment
for mental health, including the company's donations based on Bell
Let's Talk engagement and its original $50-million donation to launch the initiative, is
now $93,423,628.80 and expected to
surpass $100 million on January 30.
About Bell Let's Talk
The Bell Let's Talk mental
health initiative is focused on 4 key action pillars: Anti-stigma,
Care and Access, Research and Workplace Leadership. Since its
launch in September 2010, Bell Let's
Talk has partnered with more than 900 organizations providing
mental health services throughout Canada, including major donations
to hospitals, universities and other care and research
organizations.
To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Media inquiries
Katie Hatfield
902-487-6198
katie.hatfield@bellaliant.ca
@Bell_LetsTalk
@Bell_News
SOURCE Bell Canada