January 30, 2019
Whitehorse, YT - Today, Bell Let’s Talk flags are flying proudly in all three territorial capitals, as well as the Yukon’s Legislative Assembly, as a way of showing Northerners’ commitment to ending the stigma around mental illness.

Northwestel and Bell Let’s Talk proudly partnered with mayors and mental health organizations in each city to raise awareness of mental health issues, joining communities across the country flying Bell Let’s Talk flags.

“All Northerners recognize the importance of promoting positive mental health in the North,” said Curtis Shaw, President of Northwestel. “Today we join with the Yukon Government and the cities of Iqaluit, Whitehorse, and Yellowknife to commit to working together to end the stigma around mental illness. We are proud to be part of the Canada-wide Bell Let’s Talk initiative.”

“The City of Iqaluit is pleased to raise the Bell Let’s Talk flag and help raise awareness about mental health. Being able to talk about mental health openly, in a respectful manner, is an important step in helping to end the stigma and move towards a society that helps people get the treatment and support that they may need,” said Madeleine Redfern, Mayor of Iqaluit.

“There is no greater health challenge facing our country than mental health,” said Dan Curtis, Mayor of Whitehorse. “Most people who experience mental health issues suffer in silence, fearing judgement and rejection. Whitehorse City Council encourages residents to talk openly about their experiences with mental health issues and help open the eyes of all Canadians to the reality of mental illness.”

“Mental illness touches us all – either directly or through a friend, family member or colleague. Bell’s Let’s Talk Day is about starting the conversation about mental health. I encourage residents to keep the conversation going all year long and make every day, a day it is okay to talk about mental health,” said City of Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty.

“We thank the cities of Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit, and the Yukon Government for partnering with Northwestel in support of Bell Let’s Talk Day and growing the conversation about mental health in the North. Together with the voices of Canadians all around the country Northerners are working to end the stigma of mental illness,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk.

Join the Bell Let’s Talk Day conversation today
It’s easy to be part of the Bell Let’s Talk Day conversation all day long and across multiple communications platforms. Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for each of these interactions, at no extra cost to participants beyond what they would normally pay their service provider for online or phone access:

• Talk: Every mobile call 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 Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at Twitter.com/Bell_LetsTalk
• Facebook: Every view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk and use of the Bell Let’s Talk frame
• Instagram: Every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at Instagram.com/Bell_LetsTalk
• Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let’s Talk filter and Bell Let’s Talk Day video view
• To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Contact:
Matt Wallace Northwestel, Manager of External Communications media@nwtel.ca