Riversite Realty Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Today marks Bell Let’s Talk Day across the country, as the company continues to raise funds for mental health programs and awareness.
In September 2010, Bell Let’s Talk began a new conversation about Canada’s mental health. At that time, most people were not talking about mental illness. But the numbers spoke volumes about the urgent need for action. Millions of Canadians, including leading personalities engaged in an open discussion about mental illness, offering new ideas and hope for those who struggle, with numbers growing every year.
As a result, institutions and organizations large and small in every region received new funding for access, care and research, from Bell Let’s Talk and from governments and corporations that have joined the cause. Bell’s total donation to mental health programs now stands at $79,919,178.55 and we are well on our way to donating at least $100 million through 2020.
4 pillars
Dedicated to moving mental health forward in Canada, Bell Let’s Talk promotes awareness and action with a strategy built on 4 key pillars: Fighting the stigma, improving access to care, supporting world-class research, and leading by example in workplace mental health.
Anti-stigma
One of the biggest hurdles for anyone suffering from mental illness is overcoming the stigma attached to it. The annual Bell Let’s Talk awareness campaign and Day is driving the national conversation to help reduce this stigma and promote awareness and understanding and talking is an important first step towards lasting change.
Care & Access
Bell supports a variety of organizations including grassroots agencies, local hospitals, and universities to help provide Canadians with support services when and where they need it.
Workplace health
Mental health is the leading cause of workplace disability in Canada and represents 15% of Canada’s burden of disease. Bell is committed to leading by example in our own workplace by adopting the voluntary Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, and is encouraging greater corporate engagement across Canada.
Research
Research holds the greatest promise to better understand treatments and cures. Bell is investing in best-in-class research programs with the potential to have a transformative impact on the mental health and well-being of Canadians.
Help end the stigma around mental illness. It’s easier than you think!
It’s a fact, one in five Canadians will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lifetime. One of the biggest hurdles for anyone suffering from mental illness is overcoming the stigma. It is the number one reason why two-thirds of those living with a mental illness do not seek help.
Developed in partnership with Dr. Heather Stuart, the Bell Canada Mental Health and Anti-stigma Research Chair at Queen’s University, here are 5 simple ways to help end the stigma that keeps too many who struggle with mental illness from seeking the help they need.
Language matters
The words you use can make all the difference. Words can help but they can also hurt. What would you choose?
Words to watch out for:
Schizo = person with schizophrenia
Crazy = person with a mental illness
Educate yourself
Stigma has been around for a long time and knowing the facts and myths about mental illness can be a great way to help end stigma. Read about facts and myths and become a stigma buster.
Be Kind
Simple kindness can make a world of difference. Whether it be a smile, being a good listener or an invitation for coffee and a chat, these simple acts of kindness can help open up the conversation and let someone know you are there for them.
Expressions like “You’ll get over it” and “Just relax” can minimize how a person is feeling. Instead offer your support and say “I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well.” Ask what you can do to help.
Listen and ask
Mental illness is a very common form of human pain and suffering. Being a good listener and asking how you can help, sometimes just even being there for people you care about, can be the first step in recovery.
Here are a few examples of what to ask:
– I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well.
– I’ve noticed you’ve seemed down lately.
– Is everything ok?
– How can I help?
Talk about it
Break the silence. Mental illness touches us all in some way directly or through a friend, family member or colleague. Stories of people who have experienced mental health issues and who are doing well can really challenge stereotypes. Most people with mental health issues can and do recover, just by talking about it.
Helping is easier than you think. Small actions can create a big impact!
Text away!
For every text message you send today, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives. Mobile calls, long distance calls and text messages must be made and sent by a Bell subscriber. Regular charges apply.
Start talking!
For every mobile and long distance call you make today, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives. Mobile calls, long distance calls and text messages must be made and sent by a subscriber. Regular charges apply.
Get your tweet on!
Each time you tweet today using #BellLetsTalk, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives. So far we have had 120,630 tweets today!
Keep posting!
Each time you post today using #BellLetsTalk, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives.
Every view counts!
Every time you watch the Bell Let’s Talk video on Facebook today we’ll donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives.
Show off your filter!
Each time you send a snap using the Bell Let’s Talk geofilter today on Snapchat, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives.
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
Photo of the day
#BellLetsTalk Day is tomorrow! Get your tweet-thumbs ready. https://t.co/TDQFOgQZCP pic.twitter.com/i9y8gfXpYK
— Bell Let's Talk (@Bell_LetsTalk) 24 January 2017
Weather forecast for Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Today – Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Fog patches dissipating this morning. Wind becoming southeast 20 km/h near noon then southwest 30 gusting to 50 late this afternoon. High plus 5.
Tonight – Mainly cloudy. Periods of snow or rain beginning overnight. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Temperature rising to 7 this evening then falling.
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