#BellLetsTalk helps reduce the stigma of mental illness

By Isaiah Mawhinney

BELLEVILLE – The annual campaign #BellLetsTalk has become a global frenzy, and QNet News reporters are covering it Wednesday.

The campaign urges people to fight the stigma around mental illness by posting the hashtag #BellLetsTalk on social media throughout the day. Bell will donate five cents to a mental-health initiative for every tweet sent using the hashtag, as well as for every text message and mobile or long-distance call made with Bell, and every Facebook share of the campaign’s image. Since 2010, Bell has donated close to $100 million from the campaign that takes place each January. Talking about the issues is the best way to fight the stigma against mental health, according to the Bell website.

As of shortly before noon Wednesday, there had been almost 28 million Let’s Talk interactions.

QNet’s reporters are covering the campaign throughout the day. Bevan Hamilton is talking with a campaign spokesperson about why it’s important for people to know about the cause, while Ashley Clark and Andrew Harper are talking to Loyalist students about it. As well, you can click on our home page to vote in our poll about Let’s Talk.

More to come.