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Bell Let’s Talk: Continuing the Conversation

Posted in: Workplace Wellness | Posted by Rebecca Ingram on January 25, 2017

The 7th annual Bell Let’s Talk day is January 25, 2017 and now, more than ever, education about and awareness of mental wellness is a vital part of any workplace. The Bell Let’s Talk initiative was launched in September 2010 with hopes of fostering a new approach not only to mental illness but mental health awareness.

With the help of some high-profile Canadians lending their names and sharing their stories, Bell Let’s Talk day was developed to promote awareness and action with a strategy built on 4 key areas:

  • Fighting the Stigma – perhaps the biggest hurdle to mainstreaming the disease
  • Improving Access to Care – making help easier to attain for those who need it
  • Supporting Research – to develop improved treatments and cures
  • Workplace Health – included as part of standard Occupational Health & Safety

Statistics suggest that 1 in 5 Canadians will struggle with a mental illness at some point in their lives and that only 1 in 3 of those people will seek help, mostly due to fear and the stigma associated with being labelled as having mental health issues.

It is the leading cause of workplace disability, regardless if the workplace is a contributing factor or not.

Since most of us spend a good portion of our waking hours at work, it only makes sense that the workplace is an integral part of our emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. It is a place where co-workers, clients, managers and associates see us on a regular basis, where alterations in our behaviour, attitude and demeanour might first be noticed. It is where we can initiate, implement and incorporate positive change in our discussion of, support for, reaction to and acceptance of mental illness.

It is only through open dialogue and frank discussion that the lingering stigma associated with mental illness can be improved.

There have been significant advancements medically and legislatively recognizing the effects and implications of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on the military, first responders and in the workplace in general. There are more organizations offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and an increase in the number of employees accessing the services offered.

Although there has been plenty of progress in the past 7 years, there is still much to be done and it depends on each and every one of us embracing and engaging in a mental wellness conversation.

Here are 5 simple ways that you can help stop the stigma surrounding mental illness:

  1. Language matters – the words you use can make all the difference
  2. Education – separate facts from fiction and share the truth with others
  3. Be kind – in how you treat people close to you, they might be struggling
  4. Ask and Listen – especially if you think someone is hurting
  5. Talk about it – break the silence, share your stories and experiences

So even though it is important to celebrate Bell Let’s Talk day by texting, calling, tweeting, posting, snapping or watching, it is even more important to keep the conversation going long after January 25th and do your part to support Canada’s mental health.

More information about the Bell Let’s Talk initiative can be found here and further details on ways you can help stop the stigma can be found here.

If you would like details on how to set up or improve mental wellness or an EAP in your organization, you can reach us via email at [email protected], [email protected], contact us directly, during business hours, using our chat feature or by phone, at 1-844-377-9545 and you can always connect with us on Facebook ,Twitter , or LinkedIn.





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