Annual $2 million fund supports
local charities taking action to create positive change around
mental health in their communities
MONTRÉAL, Jan. 24, 2020 /CNW
Telbec/ - The Bell Let's Talk Community Fund is now accepting
applications for grants in 2020. The annual $2 million program supports registered charities
taking action to improve access to mental health care in every
region of Canada.
"Over the last decade, the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund has
helped more than 650 organizations on the front line of mental
health care drive real change in their communities," said Bell
Let's Talk Chair Mary
Deacon. "We welcome this year's fund applicants and
look forward to offering our support to even more exciting projects
in 2020."
"One in 5 Canadians experience mental health challenges, and
initiatives like Bell Let's Talk Day remind us to tell our family,
friends, colleagues and neighbours: you are not alone," said the
Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health. "These initiatives
encourage us to support each other, enable organizations doing
important work, and change the conversation around mental health.
Join me, today and every day, to be there for one another."
Bell invites registered charities to apply for a grant up to
$25,000 to support local mental
health programs by visiting Bell.ca/LetsTalk. All applications are
reviewed by a committee of mental health experts from across
Canada. The 2020 application period runs until March 16 and all 2020 grants will be disbursed
before December 31, 2020.
Here are some ways that the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund has
supported organizations doing great work in mental health at the
local level:
"CMHA Yukon has long had a vision to provide training for Peer
Supporters and develop a Peer Support program," said Tiffanie Tasane, Executive Director of the
Canadian Mental Health Association, Yukon Division. "Our Bell Let's
Talk Community Fund grant is not only allowing this vision to
become a reality but enabling other Peer Support initiatives in the
Territory."
"With funding from Bell Let's Talk, Pacific Post Partum Support
Society is providing one-on-one text support to mothers and their
families experiencing postpartum depression/anxiety or distress,"
said Sheila Duffy, Director of
Pacific Post Partum Support Society. "This technology expands our
reach by increasing accessibility while also reducing barriers, so
we can support families in a timely manner. As soon as mothers make
that first connection, their healing process can begin."
"Our Bell Let's Talk Community Fund grant has helped The Mustard
Seed improve access to culturally appropriate treatment for
Indigenous clients," said Randi
Sager (Lakota/Nêhiyaw), Provisional Registered Psychologist
and Indigenous Counsellor at The Mustard Seed in Calgary. "Not only has the program
strengthened peoples' Indigenous identity and created a sense of
community, but it has also empowered people to create positive
changes in their lives. One of the biggest changes we have seen is
clients embracing their Indigenous identities without shame or
guilt, which has led to them embarking on journeys of healing.
hiy! hiy! (Thank you)."
"Bell Let's Talk helped Artbeat Studio expand our arts outreach
programming by growing our capacity to reach farther and have
greater impact in the community. Our Reach Out Arts programming
empowers marginalized members of the community through creative
exploration while developing meaningful connections amongst peers,"
said Uyen Pham, Executive Director
of Artbeat Studio in Winnipeg.
"This outreach sparks relationships and learning opportunities that
extend way beyond each session – it promotes social inclusion,
confidence building, and mental wellbeing through creative
expression."
"With funding from Bell Let's Talk, Scarborough Health Network
can close the gap on mental health services for transitional age
youth," said Lydia Huber, Manager of
Mental Health at Scarborough Health Network Foundation. "We are
able to provide specialized psychiatric and psycho-social treatment
to ensure these vulnerable young patients receive the intensive
age-appropriate support they need. This program will give our
patients access to a network of highly experienced mental health
professionals, and an array of social services such as housing, job
placement and education supports which will lead to recovery and
fulfillment."
"The Bell Let's Talk grant has completely transformed the living
environment of the Haut-Richelieu Hospital's psychiatric unit,
making it easier for families to be reunited at times when they
need it the most," said Julie
Coupal, Executive Director of the Fondation Santé. "A
completely renovated patio will be used to offer gardening
workshops starting in the spring while patients will also have
access to exercise equipment, which has a considerable impact on
their well-being."
"Funding from Bell Let's Talk has allowed us to open the door
for vulnerable youth with our new after-school program, Reach for
the Stars," said Amanda Beazley,
Executive Director of Boys and Girls Club of Charlottetown. "Now youth who are at risk of
developing mental health and addictions challenges have a safe,
supportive and inclusive space to develop the skills to make
healthy choices, build healthy relationships and bolster their
self-esteem."
"Bell Let's Talk helped us continue to grow our Seeds of Success
program to support Nova Scotians living with mental illness," said
Faye LeBlanc, Managing Director of
the Northwood Foundation. "The program promotes mental wellness by
providing our residents with purposeful therapeutic activities
which allows them to feel, think and act in ways that help them
enjoy life and cope with its challenges."
Bell Let's Talk Day is January
29
Everyone is invited to join the conversation on
Bell Let's Talk Day by sending messages of support across multiple
platforms to drive awareness and action in mental health.
Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian
mental health programs for each of these communications on Bell
Let's Talk Day, at no cost to participants beyond what they would
normally pay their service providers 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
- YouTube: Every Bell Let's Talk Day video view at
YouTube.com/BellCanada
Since the first Bell Let's Talk Day in 2011, Canadians and
people around the world have sent a total of more than 1 billion
messages of support for mental health, bringing Bell's total
commitment to $100,695,763.75, which
includes the company's original $50
million anchor donation when Bell Let's Talk launched in
2010.
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 1,000 organizations providing
mental health services throughout Canada, including hospitals,
universities and other care and research organizations. To learn
more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Media inquiries:
Jacqueline Michelis
613-785-1427
jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_LetsTalk
@Bell_News
SOURCE Bell Canada