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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.