Bell Let’s Talk campaign aims to reduce stigma attached to mental illness – Bell’s 2nd annual Let’s Talk Day set for February 8, 2012

Olympic hero Clara Hughes will help Bell spark national conversation

A key element of the Bell Mental Health initiative is Bell Let’s Talk Day - a campaign to create a national conversation about mental health in Canada and raise awareness of mental illness across Canada.

Leading the Bell Let’s Talk campaign will be multiple Olympic medalist and community activist, Clara Hughes. “As someone who has come to know Canadians of all kinds in every corner of the country, I have seen the prevalence and the dramatic impact of mental illness on our people”, says Ms. Hughes. “And I’ve seen how much access to mental health care and support means to those who suffer. Talking about mental illness is the first and best step in ensuring improved mental health in Canada.”

 For this year's campaign, the 6-time Olympic medalist and longtime sufferer of depression is joined by a pair of Quebec spokespeople: author, composer and performer Stefie Shock, and actor-comedian Michel Mpambara. All three intend to share their own challenges of mental illness in the countdown to the culmination of the campaign on February 8.

 On February 8th, for every text message sent and every long distance call made by Bell customers on that day, Bell will donate 5 cents to programs dedicated to mental health. For more information on Bell Let’s Talk Day, visit http://letstalk.bell.ca