Canada’s North shows support for mental health on 10th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day

January 29, 2020
Whitehorse, YT – For the second year in a row, Bell Let’s Talk flags are flying proudly in capital cities across Canada’s territories, showing the North is taking action to support mental health.

Northwestel is pleased to partner with governments and mental health organizations in Iqaluit (NU), Yellowknife (NT), and Whitehorse (YT) to raise awareness about mental health, joining more than 90 communities across the country flying Bell Let’s Talk flags.

“Promoting positive mental health is especially important in the North,” said Curtis Shaw, President of Northwestel. “We are proud to partner once again with the cities of Iqaluit, Whitehorse, and Yellowknife, working together to take action to help Canadians living with mental illness.”

“Bell Let’s Talk Day has been positively changing the ways in which we engage in discussions about mental illness to better support those who struggle,” said City of Whitehorse Mayor, Dan Curtis. “Mental health is a shared responsibility, and a shared commitment, and we must work together to be part of the conversation, to know the facts and to be good friends.”

“Mental illness affects people of all ages and from all walks of life,” said City of Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty. “I encourage Yellowknifers to help create positive change for those living with mental illness. To support someone: show you care, hear them out, know your role, and connect them to help.”

“The City of Iqaluit is honored to raise the Bell Let’s Talk flag to help raise awareness about mental health,” said City of Iqaluit Deputy Mayor Janet Brewster. “It's very important to create conversations to increase mental health awareness, which plays an important role in the de-stigmatization of mental health issues, and the access to supports and treatment."

“We are grateful to the cities of Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit, the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut and the Yukon Government for partnering with Northwestel in support of the 10th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day and mental health in the North. Northerners are joining all Canadians taking action to support better mental health in our communities,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk.

Bell Let’s Talk Day is today

Everyone is invited to join the conversation today by sending messages of support across multiple platforms to drive awareness and action in mental health. Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for each of these communications today at no cost to participants beyond what they would normally pay their service providers for online or phone access:

• Talk: Every mobile and every long distance call made by Bell wireless and phone customers
• Text: Every text message sent by Bell wireless customers
• Twitter: Every tweet and retweet using #BellLetsTalk, featuring the special Bell Let’s Talk emoji, and every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at Twitter.com/Bell_LetsTalkOpens in a new tab
• Facebook: Every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalkOpens in a new tab and every use of the Bell Let’s Talk frame
• Instagram: Every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at Instagram.com/Bell_LetsTalkOpens in a new tab
• Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let’s Talk filter and every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view
• YouTube: Every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at YouTube.com/BellCanadaOpens in a new tab

To learn more about Bell Let’s Talk Day, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalkOpens in a new tab

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Contact for media inquiries:
Northwestel Media Relations
media@nwtel.ca