#BellLetsTalk Continues to Breakdown Mental Health Stigmas on January 28th 2015

As a Canadian call centre, the CSR business policies that govern our business are reflective of the diversity and inclusion that forms the foundation of our country. We take great pride in these values and we also like to feature other like-minded businesses like Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) – Canada’s largest communications company and trusted business partner of Miratel – and their Bell Let’s Talk Day in support of mental health awareness. We have covered this CSR business initiative of theirs in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

This year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day takes place on January 28th 2015 and focuses on 5 simple ways to help end the stigma associated with mental health; which are:

1. Language matters: Words can help…but they can also hurt. Pay attention to the words you use. How you can help? Explain to friends and colleagues who use words like “psycho” or “nut” without thinking that their comments may be hurtful and provide an alternative view.
2. Educate yourself: Myths exist about mental illness that contribute to stigma. Learn the facts. How you can help? Learn more, know more. Be knowledgeable and help fight stigma with facts.
3. Be kind: Small acts of kindness speak volumes. How you can help? Don’t stand by if someone is being labelled or bullied. Treat a person who has a mental illness with the kindness and care you give to people with other illnesses through a friendly smile, a helping hand, a phone call or visit.
4. Listen and ask: Sometimes it’s best to just listen. How you can help? Don’t trivialize someone’s illness. Instead, say: “I’m sorry to hear that, it must be a difficult time. Is there anything I can do to help?”
5. Talk about it: Start a dialogue, not a debate. How you can help? Break the silence. Talk about how mental illness touches us all in some way directly or through a friend, family member or colleague. Stories of lived experience are the best way to help eradicate stigma. Support mental health and anti-stigma programs in your community.

This is an important lesson to learn and pass on because statistics show that some “1 in 5 Canadians will experience mental illness at some point in their lives, the lingering stigma means 2 in 3 will struggle in silence fearing judgment and rejection.” By breaking down the stigma, more people will be able to seek the help they need and others will be more sensitive and compassionate to their needs.

Bell has remained committed to this cause and have contributed $67.5 million to Canadian mental health initiatives since 2010.

Canadian Olympian Clara Hughes is the national spokesperson once again and is sharing her own struggles with mental health issues to the cause. Joining her this year in spreading awareness are Michael Landsberg, Howie Mandel, Mary Walsh, Michel Mpambara and Stefie Shock. Together they are all working to get people to take notice and change perceptions.

You can join the conversation on social media though their Twitter @Bell_LetsTalk and Facebook pages as well as by using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk. By doing so on Let’s Talk Day Bell will donate $0.05 for “every tweet using #BellLetsTalk, and every Facebook share of the Bell Let’s Talk Day image.” Beyond that, they will donate the same amount for “every text message sent, and mobile and long distance call made by Bell and Bell Aliant customers.” Thus, talking about this cause will do so much more than just raise awareness and will be making an impact on many levels.

Check out the Bell Let’s Talk Day website for more information on how to get involved and start talking using the toolkit as well as the other help and resources and community funds available. Join in the conversation on January 28th 2015.

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Miratel Solutions is a Toronto call centre, eBusiness, and letter shop mail house specializing in professional fundraising services including PCI compliant inbound telephone fundraising, outbound telephone fundraising, online fundraising, lottery fundraising services, donation processing and receipting and direct mail fundraising services. We are committed to our CSR business values in all our business decisions  and advancing the missions of the nonprofits we proudly serve.