FAN FOCUS | Hockey Fans Come Together to Support Let’s Talk Initiative to Raise Money and Awareness for Mental Health
by Caitlyn Golem, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
Every year since 2011, Bell Canada has held a campaign across social media platforms and phone lines to raise awareness for mental health as part of it’s Let’s Talk initiative. This also involves making a substantial donation based on engagements with their campaign.
Bell committed to donating five cents to mental health initiatives in Canada:
- For every tweet or retweet using #BellLetsTalk
- Watching Bell’s official video on Twitter or Facebook
- For every use of Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame
- For every view of Bell’s official video on Instagram
- For every use of Bell Let’s Talk filter on Snapchat
- Every text message sent by a Bell customer
- Every mobile and long distance phone call made by a Bell customer
BELL LET’S TALK DAY 2019 OFFICIAL VIDEO: Today, every view of this video makes a difference. All you need to do is watch it and Bell will donate 5¢ to mental health initiatives. Share to help spread the word! #BellLetsTalk pic.twitter.com/zVdFiEafYl
— Bell Let's Talk (@Bell_LetsTalk) January 30, 2019
I was very involved in the Bell Let’s Talk campaign this year. In addition to tweeting and retweeting all day, I decided for the second year in a row to make a tweet promising to get a Toronto Maple Leafs tattoo if my tweet reached a specific number of retweets.
My following on Twitter consists largely of sports fans so this seemed to be the best way to get retweets to raise funds for this important cause. I set the number impossibly high on purpose so that there was almost zero risk of me having to get the tattoo while still providing a fun extra incentive for sports fans to retweet the Bell Let’s Talk hashtag.
https://twitter.com/CaitlynGolem/status/1090474785656659968
Often when we struggle with our mental health, we think it means we are weak. The truth is that having a mental illness says nothing about your strength; it can happen to the strongest of us, and battling it each day only proves your strength. Many of us have role models who struggle with their mental well health as well, including our favourites in the world of hockey. Being willing to reach out and seek help, although not an easy process, also demonstrates immense strength.
This year, Bell Let’s Talk Day had 145,442,699 interactions, raising a total of $7,272,134.95. According to the Bell Let’s Talk website, they have donated $100.69 million to mental health initiatives over the course of the program, but Bell does so much more than donate money: they generate awareness and spark conversations surrounding mental health. The truth is that mental illness affects all of us at some point in our lives, whether directly or indirectly.
Bell provides the incentive for people to open up and discuss mental health without fear or judgement. Each year, Bell Let’s Talk Day reduces the stigma surrounding mental health. The goal is ultimately for people to feel as comfortable speaking about their mental illness as they would be speaking about physical illness.
Each year I am continually impressed by the way millions of people come together to raise money for this cause and speak up about this important topic. It allows those who are struggling with their mental health to reach out and feel comfortable opening up while also encouraging people who have struggled in the past to share their inspiring stories. The openness and conversation gives people hope for recovery and helps people realize that there are people they can reach out to if they are having a hard time.
You’re NOT less of a person because you have #panicattacks
You’re NOT less of a person because you have #anxiety
You’re NOT less of a person because you have #depression
You’re NOT less of a person if you have a #mentalillness #SickNotWeak #BellLetsTalk— Jennifer Down (@Jennifer_Down4) January 31, 2019
Bell Let’s Talk Day may have come to an end for the year, but that doesn’t mean that the conversation shouldn’t continue. The day does do wonders for mental health, but if we want to end the stigma surrounding it, we have to have fight it year round.
There are numerous ways we can do so, many of which are simple and require little effort. Asking someone how they are can have a positive impact. Giving someone the chance to open up can make all of the difference.
Although you may not always know the right thing to say, often just being able to talk about it and knowing that someone cares enough to listen can be exactly what that person needs. Even a simple smile can go a long way to turning someone’s rough day into a positive one.
Although we will never know have many people Bell Let’s Talk Day has touched over the years, the number would be astonishing to everyone. Even though the awareness about mental health has improved drastically over recent years, this one single day unites a country in the tough fight against mental health. I truly hope this day continues for very long time.
There are a lot of great programs that provide support for people suffering from mental health issues. Bell gives a comprehensive list of resources here. Do not be afraid to reach out if you are struggling. Even if people are not posting everywhere about mental health as they were on Bell Let’s Talk Day, this does not mean that they will not be there to support you if you reach out to them. People my surprise you in the absolute best way.
Edited by Cate Racher, All Habs Hockey Magazine