Apply now for a grant from the 2014 Bell Let's Talk Community Fund

Apply now for a grant from the 2014 Bell Let's Talk Community Fund


-- $1 million fund enhances access to care through community
mental health organizations
-- Apply on line at
Bell.ca/LetsTalk


MONTREAL, Jan. 24, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced that
applications are open for the annual $1-million Bell Let's Talk
Community Fund, which provides grants ranging from $5,000 up to $50,000
for community-based mental health initiatives from coast to coast to
coast.



"The Bell Let's Talk Community Fund is dedicated to improving access to
mental health care and fighting the stigma around mental illness at the
grassroots level in every region of Canada," said Mary Deacon, Chair of
Bell Let's Talk. "Since 2011, more than 150 local mental health
organizations in communities large and small have relied on grants from
the Fund. We look forward to welcoming more community partners to Bell
Let's Talk in 2014."



Registered not-for-profit organizations, charities, hospitals and social
services agencies are invited to apply for funding of localized mental
health programs. The 2014 application period is open until March 31
via the Bell.ca/LetsTalk web site and grants will be disbursed before December 31, 2014.



"The mental health of Canadians is important to our Government," said
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health. "The Bell Let's Talk
Community Fund is an invaluable resource which provides funds for
community-based mental health initiatives. I applaud Bell for
continuing to make these important investments, which go a long way in
promoting the mental health of our children, families and Canadian
communities."



While 20% of Canadians will experience a mental illness in their
lifetimes, 2 in 3 suffer in silence for fear of being judged or
rejected because of the continuing stigma. The Bell Let's Talk
Community Fund is focused on enabling local, grassroots organizations
in every province and territory to fight the stigma and enhance care
options in their communities.



"Thanks to the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund for supporting our vision.
As a result of this collaboration, we are empowering our three First
Nation communities to become safer and stronger by reducing the risk of
suicide," said Michele Bushey, a member of the Miramichi Community
Suicide Prevention Committee in New Brunswick, a recipient of a Bell
Let's Talk Community Fund grant in 2013. "We are proud to implement
SafeTALK as a protective factor in our fellow First Nations
communities."



To apply online for 2014 funding, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.


Bell Let's Talk Day is January 28

Launched in 2010, the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a
national charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada
with significant funding for community care, research, and workplace
best practices, and fights the stigma around mental illness with
high-profile events like Bell Let's Talk Day. Set for January 28, 2014,
the fourth annual Bell Let's Talk Day invites Canadians to join the
conversation and help end the stigma around mental illness.



On Bell Let's Talk Day, Bell donates 5 cents for every text, mobile
call, and long distance call made by Bell and Bell Aliant customers,
every tweet using #BellLetsTalk, and every Facebook share of the Bell
Let's Talk Day image. Bell's donations are made at no extra charge to
Bell Let's Talk Day participants, though normal long distance or text
charges, if any, apply.



To date, Bell has already committed $62,043,289.30 to Canadian mental
health, based on its original $50 million commitment and participation
in Bell Let's Talk Day since 2011.



So far this year, Bell Let's Talk has announced a $2.5 million donation
for Kids Help Phone to support the mental health of young people in
Canada; the $1 million Bell Canada Chair in Adolescent Mood & Anxiety
Disorders at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto; $225,000 for the
Université Laval Foundation in Québec City to support student mental
health; and, in partnership with Morneau Shepell and Queen's
University, Canada's first university-certified workplace mental health
training program in support of Canada's National Standard for
Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.



To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.


About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and
business customers with wireless, TV, Internet, home phone and business
communications services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia
company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media.
Bell is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more
information, please visit Bell.ca



SOURCE Bell Canada

Bell Canada

CONTACT: Media inquiries:  Jacqueline Michelis
Bell Media Relations
1 855-785-1427
Jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_News


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