Join us in eliminating mental health stigma for Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 29, 2020! Every interaction using #BellLetsTalk on social media on counts get involved and make a difference.
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On any given week, more than 500,000 Canadians are unable to go to work due to mental health problems. It is for this reason that we encourage you to create an environment that supports the overall mental well-being of your family, friends, and co-workers.
5 Simple Ways to Help End the Stigma
We have the power to help end the stigma surrounding mental illness. Did you know that one in five Canadians will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lifetime? For those suffering from mental illness, one of the biggest hurdles is overcoming public stigma and that is why two-thirds of people living with mental illness don’t seek assistance.
The following simple ways to help end the stigma surrounding mental health were developed by Dr. Heather Stuart, in partnership with the Bell Canada Mental Health and Anti-stigma Research at Queen's University.
- Language Matters > don’t use the word “crazy” rather use “person with a mental illness.”
- Educate Yourself > explore the facts and myths surrounding mental illness.
- Be Kind > engage in simple acts of kindness on a daily basis.
- Listen & Ask > Ask questions and be a good listener, here’s an example of a question to ask, “is everything okay?” and “how can I help?.”
- Talk About It > break the silence – talk about mental illness and how it impacts you.
What Does Mental Health Mean To You?
Everyone has a different idea of what mental health is and that's why Bell has asked that you share what it means to you and share that on social media with the hashtag #BellLetsTalk using this sign.