Send a text or make a long-distance call with Bell or Bell Aliant to support mental health. Join Clara Hughes and other great Canadians by uploading your own smile at bell.ca/letstalk
MONTREAL, February 9, 2011 /Canada NewsWire Telbec/ - Today is Bell Let's Talk Day, when Canadians can help lift the stigma around mental illness and support Canadian mental health initiatives by sending a text message or making a long distance call with Bell and Bell Aliant. You can also upload your smile alongside that of Olympian Clara Hughes, the national spokesperson for Bell Let's Talk Day, and learn more about mental health at bell.ca/letstalk.
For every text message sent and every long distance call made by Bell and Bell Aliant customers today, Bell will donate 5 cents to programs dedicated to mental health. Regular long distance and text message charges apply.
Bell Let's Talk Day is the high-profile anti-stigma component of the Bell Mental Health Initiative, a five-year, $50-million charitable initiative dedicated to promoting Canadian mental health.
Since January 17, a national promotional campaign focused on the world-famous smile of Clara Hughes, Canada's six-time Olympic medalist, has invited Canadians to join the conversation about mental health. By relating her own story of depression during the campaign, Clara has encouraged changing attitudes towards mental health, an important first step in removing the stigma that impacts so many Canadians affected by mental health issues.
"The reality is that most of the 1 in 5 Canadians who will suffer from mental illness in their lifetimes, and their families, friends and colleagues too, are afraid to talk about the disease. The stigma that prevents discussion means too many won't get the help they need," said Ms. Hughes. "The best way to beat the stigma is to talk about mental health - I'm proud to invite Canada to join me in that conversation on Bell Let's Talk Day."
The stigma surrounding mental illness is as pervasive as the disease itself. According to the Canadian Medical Association, about 75% of Canadians would disclose a cancer diagnosis - but just half are likely to tell a friend that a family member has a mental illness. Bell Let's Talk is intended to raise awareness of the impact this has on so many Canadians who suffer in silence and as a result do not get the treatment they need.
In advance of Bell Let's Talk Day, Canadians have been joining Clara in the mental health conversation by visiting bell.ca/letstalk. Bell encourages Canadians to continue adding their smiles throughout the day as they talk and text to raise awareness of mental health.
You can learn more about how the Bell Mental Health Initiative and help make a difference by visiting bell.ca/letstalk.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs, including Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell Satellite TV and Bell Fibe TV, Bell Home Phone local and long distance, and Bell Business Markets IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services. Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For Bell product and service information, please visit bell.ca. For BCE corporate information, please visit bce.ca
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