The Deputy Minister’s Vlog - Bell Let's Talk
Video / January 29, 2020
Transcript
(Jody Thomas) Hello. I’m here today with my mental health Defence Team co-champion and our Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Jean-Marc Lanthier.
Today is the tenth anniversary of Bell Let’s Talk Day. Millions of Canadians are talking about mental health. They talk to their friends, they talk to their families, they talk to their coworkers. They talk about their mental health. They share their stories and their stories are inspiring, important and critical for all of us to understand and listen to.
(Jean-Marc Lanthier) Mental health concerns all of us. Even if we lead a healthy lifestyle, do the right things, eat well, sleep well, and exercise, there are days when things are simply not going so well. To know that it’s not just the norm, to be able to talk about it, to share — it’s not easy, even when we are in a supportive environment.
Personally, it took me years after my sixth tour to realize that I had a problem, to accept that I needed to talk to someone, and to seek the help of a mental health professional.
(Jody Thomas) When someone has a cold, we don’t expect them to come to work. When somebody has broken an ankle, we accept completely that they cannot come in. But we still question mental health and mental wellness. We need to continue the conversations to end the stigma. And as we have these conversations this year, I encourage you to actively listen. Listening is as an important skill as feeling free to talk about your mental wellness.
(Jean-Marc Lanthier) There are so many ways for us to support our colleagues and friends in the workplace. Not just today, on this special day, but every day. Don’t judge. Listen. Don’t assume that you understand what someone is going through. Don’t tell this person: “It’ll be OK, it’s only temporary. You’re strong.” That doesn’t help.
We all have a part to play to end the stigma, so let’s talk.