Local organizations that are helping people with their mental health: Bell Let’s Talk
Wednesday marks the 12th annual Bell Let’s Talk day.
Bell’s campaign aims to help raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to help end the stigma.
Bell will donate five cents for every call or text message by a Bell customer, #BellLetsTalk used on Twitter and TikTok, or view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
For many people, Bell let’s talk day serves as a reminder to put their mental health first. From the beginning, the initiative has raised millions of dollars, but where does the money go locally?
ChildREACH is one of the local recipients in London, Ont. The organization offers a safe environment, free of stigma including many services to help both children and their families.
With help from a Bell Let’s Talk grant, they were able to create a free program for mothers who need mental health support.
Yvette Scrivener is the Executive Director of ChildREACH, she told CTV News “one in five moms and expectant mothers are at risk of developing a perinatal mood disorder. Perinatal mood disorder manifests themselves in symptoms of anxiety and depression.”
In reference to the program for new mothers created in 2021, Scrivener says, “It was a facilitated group where we were able to bring in a parent support educator as well as a clinician to talk and listen to mothers share their experiences as new parents.”
Childreach’s mother reach program for 2021 provided a drop-in support group that also provided parents with referrals and recommendations to mental health agencies and care for their children.
As the pandemic continues into its third year, the need for mental health support is at an all-time high.
“You can’t be healthy without good mental health,” said Brad Stark, the executive director of St. Leonard’s community services.
St. Leonard’s located in Brantford, Ont. is a non-profit charitable organization that has been working to help those struggling. They provide crisis services, including a 24/7 crisis line, counselling and a walk-in clinic.
“During the pandemic we’ve seen exponential increases in demand for those services. 50-60 per cent year over year,” he said. “We used the Bell Let’s Talk grant money to increase the staffing for that program.”
Stark said another way to help end the stigma is to reach out when someone needs assistance and to keep the conversation going.
“That’s what the Bell Let’s Talk campaign is all about,” said stark. “Talk to a friend, talk to a co-worker, call us. Talk to somebody about it because that is the first step to get help.”
For mothers seeking mental health assistance, Scrivener says they can find support and services available at www.healthunit.com/pmh
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.