Today, Let's Talk.

“Today, let’s talk!”

Over the past few years, January 30th has become a day where being on your phone, sending that tweet, text, or even a Snapchat can make a difference for many.

We all struggle, or know someone who has struggled, with mental health. It is relevant and personal to us in different ways – making it that much harder to talk about. Those who struggle are often hesitant to reach out due to fear of judgement. Days like today serve to show us that mental illness is more common than not, there are resources out there, and we all can make a positive difference in someone else’s life.

Many factors contribute to someone’s mental well-being. Some are born carrying this burden, and some can develop one through experiences in their environment. For example, four out of five people that have been sexually assaulted later develop one or more mental health disorders. What makes this statistic more troubling is that only two out of five people are likely to seek help upon discovering their disorder. The challenges that someone may be dealing with are not always apparent, which is why promoting awareness and supporting organizations provide resources to counteract and alleviate these challenges, is so important.

If you feel like you are facing these challenges, we encourage you to take a look at your social media today and realize you are not alone. Whatever weight you are carrying can be lifted and there is always a solution to whatever problems you may be facing.

If you know someone who is struggling we encourage you to reach out your hand, offer support, or simply be kind. A simple gesture can make a world of difference.

This year, every time you watch the Bell Let’s Talk Day video, Bell will donate 5 cents towards mental health initiatives. Please take a moment of your time to watch this video, share it with your friends, and help end the stigma.