On January 22, 2025, Canadians are invited to participate in the 15th annual Bell Let's Talk Day, which continues to shine a spotlight on the urgent mental health crisis affecting the youth of the nation. This year, the campaign encourages individuals to take concrete action by donating $5 via text, with Bell committing to match donations up to $1 million, ensuring all proceeds go directly to six dedicated youth mental health organizations.
The six organizations benefiting from this initiative are Integrated Youth Services, Jack.org, Kids Help Phone, National Association of Friendship Centres, Strongest Families Institute, and Youth in Mind Foundation. According to Mirko Bibic, President and CEO of Bell Canada and BCE, "Since the launch of Bell Let's Talk in 2010, Canadians have moved the national conversation on mental health forward and taken meaningful action to create positive change. Despite this significant progress, there is more to be done to help Canadians in need. Today we can all make a difference in helping to create a brighter, healthier future for young people by supporting mental health organizations..."
Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk, also emphasized, "Over the past 15 years, Bell Let's Talk has worked with mental health organizations around the country to increase awareness and help expand access to supports and services for all Canadians. This Bell Let's Talk Day, we are focusing on this urgent crisis..." This sentiment is especially pressing considering the alarming statistics about the youth mental health crisis revealed by the national report, "A Generation at Risk: The State of Youth Mental Health in Canada," which was released by Bell Let's Talk alongside Mental Health Research Canada.
For those wishing to contribute, the process is straightforward: simply text the word 'YOUTH' to 45678 to donate $5. The donation will then be conveniently added to the donor's wireless phone bill. This text-to-donate campaign is not only accessible but also impactful, as Canadians donate and support mental health awareness across the nation.
Local initiatives are also playing their part. At St. Clair College, three students—Mackenzie Anderson, Isabelle Gagnier, and Aspyn Krizanovic—are spearheading their own campaign called “Aim For A Brighter Future.” Their initiative focuses on raising awareness about mental health issues and collecting items like puzzles, fidget toys, and adult coloring books to promote positive mental cognition. Krizanovic reflected on the campaign's aims, stating, "We want to advocate that's it's not something to be ashamed of and it doesn’t hurt to get help..."
The youth suicide rate remains alarming—it's the second leading cause of death among young people in Canada, and the campaigns during Bell Let's Talk Day strive to combat this. With initiatives such as the one from St. Clair College and others across the country, the hope is to break the stigma around mental health and encourage open discussions within communities.
Along with the financial contributions during this day, Bell Let's Talk will also feature special programming across its various media platforms, showcasing the importance of mental health discussions and resources throughout the year. This includes documentaries and features aimed at educating Canadians on mental health matters.
Since embarking on this initiative, Bell has made significant strides, with total investments now reaching $184 million since 2010. The efforts made on this day extend beyond just donations; they are about creating awareness, fostering community support, and ensuring those who need mental health services can access them without barriers.
On this 15th anniversary of Bell Let's Talk Day, Canadians have the opportunity to come together to make meaningful contributions to mental health resources. Whether through the text-to-donate program or local initiatives like those at St. Clair College, each action taken contributes to valuable mental health support for youth across Canada. Join the national conversation, donate, and help shift the narrative around mental health for generations to come.