More than 200 companies and 2,000 guests joined to support world-leading
mental health care centre and fight the stigma around mental illness
TORONTO, October, 2012 - Bell announced that the 2012 Bell Let's Talk Event
in support of CAMH Foundation has contributed $1.5 million more to support
world-leading care and research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health.
"CAMH is an important partner in the Bell Let's Talk mental health
initiative, and we're very proud to support the redevelopment of the unique CAMH
community campus. This world-class complex is anchored by the new Bell Gateway
Building, the first mental health facility named for a major corporation in
Canada," said George Cope, President and CEO of Bell Canada and BCE. "Such
visible recognition of support is key to fighting the stigma around mental
illness, which prevents too many Canadians from getting the help they need."
"Bell's generosity and commitment to mental health was certainly felt by CAMH
staff and patients as we moved into the Bell Gateway Building this past summer,"
said CAMH President and CEO, Dr. Catherine Zahn. "With Bell's support, our
historic Queen Street site has begun to transform into the hospital of the
future, enabling CAMH to improve patient care, help build our city, and change
attitudes towards people living with mental illness and addiction."
Special event guest Clara Hughes
Bell Let's Talk national spokesperson and multi-medal Olympian Clara Hughes
also addressed event guests, talking about her commitment to Canadian mental
health and reaffirming her close relationship with Bell Let's Talk.
"I can't quite believe all that we've been able to accomplish in just two
short years with Bell Let's Talk. People approach me wherever I go to thank and
congratulate me for talking about mental health. My Bell Let's Talk
spokespartners in Québec, Stefie Shock and Michel Mpamara, tell me the same -
there's just an outpouring of emotion and gratitude from people so happy that we
can all finally talk openly about mental health.," said Clara. "Now that I've
retired from sport after one last competition for Canada at London 2012, I'm
eager to put my energy into keeping the momentum of Bell Let's Talk rolling. And
I have a lot of energy! Please join me on February 12, 2013 for our third annual
Bell Let's Talk Day - text me, call me, tweet me, call everyone you know about
mental health that day. Together, we can finally wipe out the stigma around
mental illness that unfortunately makes life so much harder for everyone."
On the last Bell Let's Talk Day, Bell donated 5 cents for each of the more
than 78 million text messages, retweets and long distance calls made by
Canadians that day in support of mental health - a total of more than $3.9
million in additional funding for new mental health programs across the country.
The next Bell Let's Talk Day is set for February 12. To learn more, please visit
Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Thanks to Bell event sponsors and guests
"The success of Bell Let's Talk is driven by the incredible support of our
sponsors, partners and so many other friends in the quest to promote Canada's
mental health," said Mary Deacon, Chair of the Bell Let's Talk mental health
initiative. "By being part of the discussion about the reality of mental
illness, you're helping to reduce the stigma that prevents so many who suffer
from seeking the help they need. Coupled with investments in access to care,
enhanced research and new workplace standards, it's a conversation that will
make a positive difference in the lives of countless Canadians."
The 2012 Bell Let's Talk Event was made possible by presenting sponsor
Samsung and corporate sponsors Avaya, BMO, Huawei, LG, The Firkin Group and
Resource Integrated. More than 2,000 guests attended the Bell event and more
than 200 companies were represented.
Click below to see images from the event (new window will open with larger image):
About CAMH
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental
health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world's leading
research centres in the area of addiction and mental health. CAMH combines
clinical care, research, education, policy development, prevention and health
promotion to transform the lives of people affected by mental health and
addiction issues. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and
is a Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization Collaborating
Centre.
About Bell
Headquartered in Montréal since its founding in 1880, Bell is Canada's
largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions
to all their communications needs. 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.
The Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative earned international recognition
in 2012 when Bell was awarded the global Freeman Philanthropic Services Award
for Outstanding Corporation. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Media contacts:
Jason Laszlo
Bell Media Relations
1-855-614-6602
jason.laszlo@bell.ca
@Bell_News
Denise Koulis
CAMH Foundation
416-535-8501 ext. 34395
denise.koulis@camh.ca
@endstigma