This year, Bell Let’s Talk Day is on Wednesday, January 24, and the Defence Team is joining the conversation to help break down stigma and raise awareness around mental health.

Join the conversation on Bell Let’s Talk Day

Panelists will talk about building awareness around the stigma attached to mental health in the DND/CAF and beyond, respond to your questions, and discuss how to effect real and lasting change.

  • Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024
  • Time: 1 PM to 2:30 PM EST
  • Speakers/Panelists:
    • Defence Team Mental Health co-Champions
      • Bill Matthews, Deputy Minister of National Defence
      • Lieutenant-General Frances Allen, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
      • Wanda Boudreau, President, Federal Government Dockyard Chargehands Association
    • Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Tuka, CAF Chief Psychiatrist
    • Monica Valsangkar-Smyth, Ph.D from the True Patriot Love Foundation
  • Location:
    • In-person at NDHQ (Carling), Building 5, Rotunda
    • Virtually via MS Teams.

Note: The stream can only be viewed by DND/CAF users via D365 accounts. The video will remain available for viewing after the event is finished.

Continue to take action and create real long-term change in mental health

There is not just one way, or one day to take action, and we can all help create meaningful change by doing one or more of the following:

  • Choose a mental health organization to learn about or support
  • Help a friend, family member, or colleague struggling with their mental health by learning how to support them
  • Ask about how your workplace or community is creating change for mental health
  • Nurture your own well-being by practicing and learning mental health strategies
  • Get involved in a mental health initiative or organize an event to support mental health
  • Engage in conversations about mental health to fight stigma

Help inspire others and share your actions using #GCMentalHealth and #BellLetsTalk on social media.

Learn about available mental health supports and resources

Should you wish to learn more about the tools and services available to support your well-being the Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program and the Employee Assistance Program are available 24/7 and designed to support you and your family members with a wide range of personal, family and work-related concerns.

As a reminder, if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Bilingual support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.

Learn more about the Bell Let’s Talk initiative

Bell Let’s Talk is an annual campaign that encourages a national conversation about mental health and promotes awareness and action built on anti-stigma, care and access, research, and workplace health.

Since its inception, Bell Let’s Talk has grown to become one of the most nationally recognized and successful mental health awareness campaigns in North America. Through this campaign, Bell has contributed over $143 million towards mental health initiatives since 2010 such as the Bell True Patriot Love Fund, an initiative that supports military members, Veterans and their families across Canada.

The Article originally Appeared at: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/maple-leaf/defence/2024/01/bell-let-talk-2024.html

More Resources:

EAPO Toolkit: Safety Planning for Older Adults. Keeping Safe in Unhealthy Relationships.

EAPO Post Card: Protect Yourself from Abuse. Stay Connected.