OTTAWA (January 19, 2017) The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) would like everyone to take a moment on January 25th to talk, text and join in on social media in support of Bell Let’s Talk Day and mental health in Canada.

As the national voice for 17 health associations, CAMIMH hopes to spread awareness about the realities of mental illness and also to eliminate the stigma associated with it. This year’s campaign highlights how mental illness has an impact on everyone. CAMIMH encourages all Canadians to join the conversation and hear Bell Let’s Talk national spokesperson Clara Hughes and the team talk about the impact mental illness has on all of our lives.

CAMIMH is proud to work closely with Bell Let’s Talk. Their initiatives have supported CAMIMH’s Champions of Mental Health Awards and Faces of Mental Illness campaigns for the past five years. CAMIMH would like to help Bell Let’s Talk beat 2016’s record of 125.9 million messages which grew Bell Let’s Talk funding for mental health initiatives around Canada by $6,295,764.75.

“It is so important to CAMIMH that Canadians can access appropriate mental health services,” said CAMIMH co-chair Lisa Crawley. “Bell Let’s Talk demonstrates that we can talk about mental illness, and furthermore, we can provide support to those in need.”

How can you participate on Bell Let’s Talk Day?

Bell Let’s Talk Day donations are fully funded by Bell directly based on engagement by Canadians. Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for each of these interactions on Bell Let’s Talk Day at no extra charge to participants:

  • Every text message, mobile and long distance call made by Bell Canada and Bell Aliant customers.
  • Twitter: Every tweet using #BellLetsTalk
  • Facebook: Every view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk
  • Instagram: Every post using #BellLetsTalk
  • Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Snapchat geofilter

“We are both proud to work with Bell Let’s Talk on this incredible initiative, and grateful for their generosity,” said Chris Summerville, CAMIMH co-chair. “Canadians benefit immeasurably from the opportunity to support and talk about mental health on Bell Let’s Talk Day.”

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Established in 1998, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is an alliance of mental health organizations comprised of health care providers and organizations representing persons with mental illness and their families and caregivers. CAMIMH’s mandate is to ensure that mental health is placed on the national agenda so that persons with a lived experience of mental illness and their families receive appropriate access to care and support.

For more information about Bell Let’s Talk Day, please visit: letstalk.bell.ca

For More information about CAMIMH and its campaigns, please visit: camimh.ca

To discuss interview opportunities, please contact: Kalene DeBaeremaeker kalene@impactcanada.com | Telephone: 613 233 8906 | Cell: 613 857 1758