Prepare to take action on Bell Let’s Talk Day

January 25, 2021 - Defence Stories

Since 2013, the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have had a valuable partnership with Bell Let’s Talk. This year, the Defence Team is proud to once again join the important conversation about mental health during the 11th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day, on January 28, 2021.

The annual campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of mental health, with the aim of reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. The theme for this year’s campaign is “When it comes to mental health, now more than ever, every action counts.” The campaign focuses on action we can all take, even under the unique circumstances in which we find ourselves.

This year, DND/CAF will host virtual mental health question and answer (Q&A) sessions for Bell Let’s Talk Day. Participants will include DND Mental Health Co-Champions Deputy Minister Jody Thomas, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS) Lieutenant-General Michael Rouleau, and National President of Federal Government Dockyard Trades and Labour Council (East) Mr. Jerry Ryan, as well as VCDS Group Chief Warrant Officer Martin Colbert, Canadian Forces Health Services Chief of Psychiatry Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Tuka, Defence Scientist Dr. Carla Sowinski, and Deputy Commandant of the Royal Military College of Canada Captain (Navy) Troy Richard, all of whom shared their personal experiences regarding mental health.

The virtual Q&A sessions will be posted on CAF social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) on January 27 and 28, 2021.

On January 28, 2021, for every text message, local and long distance call made by a Bell customer, every tweet and TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, every view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video on social media, and use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat filter, Bell donates five cents to support Canadian mental health programs.

Defence Team members are encouraged to take part in Bell Let’s Talk Day by talking, texting, and tweeting about mental health, and to share their thoughts and continue the conversation about mental health using the hashtag #CAFLetsTalk.

If you or someone you know needs help, a variety of mental health tools and resources are available for Defence Team members and their families:

• Defence Team COVID-19 mental health and wellness
• Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP)
• Employee Assistance Services (EAS)
• Wellness Together Canada
• Mental health resources for Canadian Armed Forces members and families
• The Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR)
• Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS)
• Operational Trauma and Stress Support Centres (OTSSCs)
• Strengthening the Forces
• Chaplain services
• SENTINEL Program

For more ways to participate, please visit Bell Let's Talk.