Bell and Brain Canada announce $1 million research training fund

Bell and Brain Canada announce $1 million research training fund


-- Bell Mental Health Research Training Awards to support 7 young
researchers for 3 years
-- Funding provided by Bell Let's Talk and the Canada Brain
Research Fund


MONTRÉAL, Feb. 8, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell and Brain Canada are pleased
to announce a new partnership in support of brain research in Canada -
the Bell Mental Health Research Training Awards.



The Training Awards are designed to promote the most talented
next-generation of Canadian mental health researchers by providing them
with guidance, mentorship and training under the direction of
world-leading researchers. A significant investment in Canada's most
promising researchers, these funds will accelerate their progress and
contribution to our understanding of the brain.



"Brain Canada is delighted to be partnering with Bell on the Mental
Health Research Training Awards, to provide some of our most talented
young scientists with high-quality research training in Canadian labs. 
Bell's leadership in mental health is unprecedented in this
country--reducing the stigma associated with these disorders, and
supporting world-class research and care programs," said Inez
Jabalpurwala, President of Brain Canada.



Brain Canada's goal is to build on Canada's excellence and leadership in
the field of neuroscience, supporting the most promising areas of brain
research. Advances in mental health research are leading to better
prevention strategies, new treatments, technologies and improved
healthcare and social support services that will have a fundamental
impact on the health and well-being of millions of Canadians.



"I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to all the award
recipients," said Clara Hughes, Canada's six-time Olympic medallist and
national spokesperson for Bell Let's Talk. "This is an important
milestone in our campaign to increase both awareness of mental health
and understanding of mental illness."



In 2011, the Government of Canada committed up to $100 million to
establish the Canada Brain Research Fund. The fund supports research
programs that are considered to be critical to advancing brain research
with a dollar-for-dollar match of funds raised by Brain Canada from
private sources over the next five years.



The Bell Mental Health Training Awards are made possible by Bell's
$500,000 contribution to the fund being matched by the Government of
Canada for a total of $1 million through this program.



"Through the Canadian Brain Research Fund, the Government of Canada is
delivering on its commitment to support much needed research to improve
the health and quality of life of Canadians suffering from brain
disorders," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. "I
would like to thank Brain Canada and its partner, Bell Canada, for
their on-going support of mental health and brain research. I would
also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the funding
recipients today. I wish them every success with their important work."



"Bell is proud to be supporting the next generation of brain research
through the Bell Mental Health Research Training Awards," said Mary
Deacon, Chair of the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative.
"Supporting research into mental illness is one of the action pillars
of Bell Let's Talk and, in partnership with the Government of Canada,
we are celebrating a significant milestone in our campaign to help
people suffering with mental health issues."



The Training Awards will provide four research studentships valued at
$30,000 per year for three years and three postdoctoral fellowships
valued at $50,000 per year for three years (each award includes an
additional $5,000 per year career development supplement). Recipients
were selected through a nation-wide open competition with rigorous
Canadian and international review.



The Bell Mental Health Training Awards recipients are:


Studentships

Corey Baimel, University of British Columbia

Nancy Butcher, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of
Toronto

Jennie Pouget, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of
Toronto

Andrea Tyrer, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of
Toronto


Postdoctoral Fellowships

Dr. Steven Connor, University of British Columbia

Dr. Cornelia Walther, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western
Ontario

Dr. Guang Yang, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto



The Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a five-year, $50-million
charitable program based on four action pillars: Anti-stigma, care and
access, research, and workplace best practices. With Bell Let's Talk
Day as its anti-stigma centrepiece, Bell's initiative is providing
significant funding for leading mental health hospitals and grassroots
organizations, driving new workplace initiatives across corporate
Canada, and supporting new research.


Bell Let's Talk Day is February 12

For every text message sent and every long distance call made by Bell
and Bell Aliant customers on February 12, every tweet using
#BellLetsTalk and, every Facebook share of our Bell Let's Talk message,
Bell will donate 5 cents more to programs dedicated to mental health
(regular long distance and text charges apply). Last year's Bell Let's
Talk Day raised $3,926,014.20 in additional funding for mental health
initiatives across the country.


About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and
business with solutions to all their communications needs: Bell
Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell Satellite TV and Bell
Fibe TV, Bell Home Phone local and long distance, and Bell Business
Markets IP-broadband and information and communications technology
(ICT) services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with
leading assets in television, radio and digital media, including CTV,
Canada's #1 television network, and the country's most-watched
specialty channels.Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For Bell products and
services, please visit Bell.ca. For BCE corporate information, please visit BCE.ca.


About Brain Canada

Brain Canada is a national charitable organization with the mission of
accelerating the pace of Canada's world-class brain research in order
to advance our understanding of the brain, and develop diagnostics,
treatments and ultimately cures for brain disorders. The Government of
Canada has committed to match up to $100 million of private and
non-governmental contributions to Brain Canada over the next five
years, through the Canada Brain Research Fund.


SOURCE Bell Canada

Image with caption: "From left to right: Inez Jabalpurwala, President, Brain Canada; Dr. Max S. Cynader, Award recipient; M.r Cory Baimel, Award recipient; Dr. Steven Connor, Award recipient; Mary Deacon, Chair, Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative; Clara Hughes, national spokesperson, Bell Let's Talk; The Honourable Yonah Martin, Senator. (CNW Group/Bell Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130208_C4240_PHOTO_EN_23487.jpg

Bell Canada

CONTACT: For media inquiries, please contact:  Jacqueline Michelis
Bell Media Relations
1 855 785-1427
jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_News Sebastien Bonneau
Brain Canada
514 926-7120
sebastien.bonneau@publicaffairsadvisors.com


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