Bell and Bell Aliant fund mental health first aid training at College of the North Atlantic

Bell and Bell Aliant fund mental health first aid training at College of the North Atlantic


ST. JOHN'S, NL, Jan. 22, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, Bell and Bell Aliant
announced $15,000 in funding for the implementation of an innovative
mental health initiative with College of the North Atlantic (CNA).



Funded through the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund, the gift will enable
the college to certify several staff members as instructors for Mental
Health First Aid (MHFA) training, a program under the Mental Health
Commission of Canada. Each of the certified instructors will then
deliver the MHFA training three times over the next year, with the
potential to reach approximately 200 colleagues, students and community
groups from across the province.



Mental Health First Aid provides help to a person developing a mental
health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as physical
first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment
can be obtained, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or
until the crisis is resolved.



"As a college we want to ensure the best learning and working
environment for our students and staff. Providing a mental health
support network is a key component to creating that environment," said
Ann Marie Vaughan, CNA's President and CEO. "The training provided by
funding from the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund helps us to be
proactive in identifying the internal and external services and
resources that can assist all members of our college community."



The Bell Let's Talk Community Fund is part of the Bell Let's Talk mental
health initiative which provides grants to organizations, hospitals and
agencies focused on improving access to mental health care in their
communities.



"This partnership with the college demonstrates our commitment to
support mental health initiatives that will have a meaningful impact in
communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador," said Geoff Davis,
Regional Vice-President of sales in Newfoundland and Labrador, Bell 
Aliant. "Mental health first aid training will help their staff
recognize and react to the signs of distress, anxiety, depression and
other related issues so students can receive early access to care and
services."



"Bell is extremely pleased to lend our support to College of the North
Atlantic and the 60 other community organizations across the country
that were part of the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund in 2012," said
Mary Deacon, Chair of the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative.
"These groups are truly making a difference at the grassroots level.
We're very proud to be helping them provide much needed resources to
enhance mental health services and programs for those affected by
mental illness."



The Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a five-year charitable
program that promotes mental health across Canada through the Bell
Let's Talk anti-stigma campaign and support for community care,
research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.


Bell Let's Talk Community Fund 2013

The third annual Bell Let's Talk Community Fund launched on January 14.
The Community Fund will distribute $1 million in 2013 to local
organizations across Canada that are working to end stigma and
increasing access to mental health care. The application period is open
until March 31.

During the past two years, the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund has
provided more than $2 million to 109 organizations across the country
through grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000.


About Bell Aliant

Bell Aliantis one of North America's largest regional communications providers and
the first company in Canada to cover an entire city with
fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology with its FibreOP(TM) services. Through its operating entities it serves customers in six
Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and
technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and
value-added business solutions. Bell Aliant's employees deliver the
highest quality customer service, choice and convenience.


About College of the North Atlantic

College of the North Atlantic is Newfoundland and Labrador's public
college. It is one of the largest post-secondary educational and skills
training centres in Atlantic Canada, with a history dating back nearly
50 years. Today it has 17 campus locations throughout Newfoundland and
Labrador and one in the Middle East State of Qatar. It offers nearly
100 full-time program offerings and more than 300 part-time courses to
some 20,000 students each year in: Academics, Applied Arts, Business
Studies, Engineering Technology, Health Sciences, Industrial Trades,
Information Technology, Natural Resources and Tourism.


SOURCE Bell Canada

Bell Canada

CONTACT: Media contacts:  Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709 643-7938
roger.hulan@cna.nl.ca Rebecca Bell
Community Relations Manager
Bell Aliant
1-888-377-8222 
rebecca.bell@bellaliant.ca


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