It’s Bell Let’s Talk Day 2019 and you’re invited to talk, text and get engaged in the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat all day long to help fight the stigma, call for action and drive Bell’s donations to mental health at no cost to you.
Today, Bell will surpass 1 billion all-time Bell Let’s Talk Day messages of support for mental health, with its total funding commitment to mental health set to top $100 million.
Join the conversation to drive Bell donations
It’s easy to be part of the Bell Let’s Talk Day conversation all day long and across multiple communications platforms. Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for each of these interactions, at no extra cost to participants beyond what they would normally pay their service provider for online or phone access:
- Talk: Every mobile call 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 Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at Twitter.com/Bell_LetsTalk
- Facebook: Every view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk and 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 Bell Let’s Talk Day video view
As a person who suffers with depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Learning disability and Eating disorder nothing makes me happier than #BellLetsTalk .
— Gabrielle Daleman (@gabby_daleman) January 30, 2019
Be kind today and help those who are fighting through this battle #MentalHealthMatters #SickNotWeak #staystrong
Olympic, World and Canadian figure skating champion Gabby Daleman joined the Bell Let's Talk Day campaign, tweeting, "As a person who suffers with depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Learning disability and Eating disorder nothing makes me happier than #BellLetsTalk. Be kind today and help those who are fighting through this battle #MentalHealthMatters #SickNotWeak #staystrong."
The Newmarket resident announced last October she was withdrawing from competition, revealing that she had been struggling with her mental health.
Last December on social media, she shared details of her anxiety and depression and how it made competing in her sport "a million times harder", and that she hoped by telling her story she 'can help someone else who's going through this'.
"There are days when I can't get out of bed or I'll lash out at people for no reason because I can't control my own emotions. I don't even understand what's going on with me. The worst part is it's different every day and for everyone so no one knows or can understand how you feel, " she posted on Twitter and Instagram on Dec. 27, 2018.
Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Long-term Care, and Newmarket-Aurora MPP Christine Elliott said in a statement, "On Bell Let's Talk Day, we are reminded that we must take mental health as seriously as any health issue, because mental health is health. The important conversations taking place today — online, in the workplace and in our communities — reduce the stigma that prevents many people from seeking help.
"I encourage everyone to help break down barriers and talk about mental health. Together, we can work toward creating a world where all Ontarians are fully supported in their journey toward mental wellness."
The Bell Let’s Talk Day videos
In addition to talk, text and other interactions of support today, your views of the Bell Let’s Talk Day videos on social media platforms count toward Bell’s donation to mental health. This year, the videos feature several high-profile celebrities alongside the Bell Let’s Talk team:
The English-language video features Alessia Cara, Anderson Cooper, Ellen DeGeneres, Lisa LaFlamme and Seth Rogen with Bell Let’s Talk team members Mike Babcock, Manon Charbonneau, Denni Clement, David K. Henry, Chris Johnson, Queena Lau, Howie Mandel, and Souad Saidj.
“Bell Let’s Talk Day has quickly grown into the biggest conversation about mental health anywhere and we hope you’ll join in to let those who struggle know they’ve got your support. By raising our voices today, we drive action in mental health all year long — including Bell’s ongoing donations to care, research, community development and other initiatives,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk in a news release.
The 5 simple ways to help end the stigma around mental illness
Together, we can all help end the stigma around mental illness with the five simple ways developed by Dr. Heather Stuart, the Bell Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research Chair at Queen’s University:
- Language matters – pay attention to the words you use about mental illness
- Educate yourself – learn, know and talk more, understand the signs
- Be kind – small acts of kindness speak a lot
- Listen and ask – sometimes it’s best to just listen
- Talk about it – start a dialogue, break the silence
To learn more, visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
