Bell Let’s Talk mental health: Making a difference in our schools

The past couple years have been hard on everyone, but for many postsecondary students the university experience hasn’t been exactly as they imagined. Many have yet to step foot in a classroom, let alone enjoy all that university life has to offer.

A 2021 survey conducted by the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations demonstrated that the pandemic has not only worsened pre-existing mental health challenges in 78% of students, but it has created new, additional challenges for 64% of students.

$1 million for student mental health initiatives

On January 12th, Bell Let’s Talk announced that $1 million in grants were awarded to 16 Canadian colleges, universities and cégeps to support them in implementing new mental health initiatives.

Reaching students at more than 225 colleges, universities and cégeps across the country, Bell Let’s Talk plans to continue their campus outreach by distributing their digital toolkit. Designed to encourage critical conversations with students about mental health challenges surrounding COVID-19 and to help postsecondary institutions support their students, the toolkit contains:

• A virtual photo booth for students, faculty and staff to post selfies and share personalized mental health messages
• Wellness activities that encourage awareness and self-care
• A digital Bell Let’s Talk flag to be shared on social media channels and websites
• Short films about mental illness, hope and recovery

Want to join in the conversation?

On January 26th, Bell Canada will donate five cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long-distance call, tweet or TikTok video using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk. They’ll also be donating for every view of their Bell Let’s Talk Day video, and every use of their Facebook frame or Snapchat lenses.