HEALTH - Talking Mental Health on #BellLetsTalk Day

In 2010, Bell Let’s Talk began a new conversation about Canada’s mental health.

At that time, most people were just not talking about it.

But since its inception millions of Canadians, including popular personalities, have engaged in an open discussion about mental illness.

Bell Let’s Talk focuses on four areas: fighting the stigma, improving access to care, supporting world-class research, and leading by example in workplace mental health.

Not only is mental health a societal concern on its own, there is a link between mental health and physical health.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario’s website:

“Nowhere is the relationship between mental and physical health more evident than in the area of chronic conditions. The associations between mental and physical health are:

1. Poor mental health is a risk factor for chronic physical conditions.
2. People with serious mental health conditions are at high risk of experiencing chronic physical conditions.
3. People with chronic physical conditions are at risk of developing poor mental health.”

To expand the connection even further, the One Health Initiative recognizes the link between human physical and mental health with animal and ecosystem health.

Everything and everyone is connected - human health can impact animals and the ecosystem, animals can impact human health.

It is estimated that one in three Canadians experience problems with their mental health each year.

There are coping strategies for people who are struggling and organizations to provide help and support - many funded by Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund.

Bell's total donation to mental health programs now stands at $79,919,178.55 and it is anticipated they will donate at least $100 million through 2020.

For every text, call, tweet, Instagram post, Facebook video view and Snapchat geofilter used on Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 25th, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives across Canada.

So commit to the health of all Canadians and start texting, tweeting, calling and viewing!