Fostering a safe and healthy workplace and ensuring the well-being of the Defence Team is of the utmost importance. Tomorrow, we continue our open and clear discussion on mental health by taking part in Bell Let’s Talk Day. By educating ourselves about mental health, we are better able to recognize when help is needed while we end the stigma around mental health in our workplace, our homes, and our communities.

Bell Let’s Talk Day is an annual event that encourages a national conversation about mental health under four pillars: anti-stigma, care and access to services, workplace health, and research.

We encourage each of you to get involved in Bell Let’s Talk Day, and tomorrow, Bell will donate five cents to support Canadian mental health programs for every:

• Text message, mobile, and long distance call made by customers of Bell Canada, Bell Aliant, and Bell MTS;
• Tweet or Instagram post using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk;
• View of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video on social media; and
• Use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook or Snapchat filters.

Last year, the campaign raised $6,585,250.50 for projects that improve access to mental health care, support, and services for Canadians, and you can do your part and contribute to the cause by talking, texting, and posting on social media about mental health on January 30.

In support of this initiative, among other activities, a national Bell Let’s Talk event will take place in Halifax and will include a panel discussion with local Halifax Defence Team members discussing their experiences with mental health, and provide insights that everyone can apply to improve their own well-being (internal link). The event will be live-streamed on the CAF Facebook page on Jan 30, 2019 at 1 p.m. EST.

In the National Capital Region, an event will also be held at NDHQ (Carling) (Building 6 Atrium) from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST. During this event, employees will be invited to participate in an informal discussion highlighting the mental health of all Defence Team members, featuring Deputy Minister, Jody Thomas; Vice Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk and Surgeon General, Brigadier-General Andrew Downes.

Early care and support for mental health issues are key. We should all watch out for changes in behaviour in our coworkers, friends, and family members, and encourage them to seek help if need be. To all members of the CAF and DND employees, if you or someone you know needs help, reach out now. Your family, friends, colleagues, and leadership team are there to listen and help. You are not alone. Talk to your manager, see your doctor, or seek out the employee and member assistance programs. If it is an emergency, please call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

Visit the Bell Let’s Talk website to find out more about how you can be a part of this important conversation.