Health and Community Services
January 25, 2017

Supporting Healthy Communities

Provincial Government Supporting Bell Let’s Talk Day

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is marking Bell Let’s Talk Day today (Wednesday, January 25). The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns.

“Our government is pleased to support Bell in this important initiative to raise awareness around mental health. Bell has demonstrated spectacular corporate citizenship by funding community care and access, research, and workplace initiatives surrounding mental health. We have been pleased to partner with them in the lead up to Bell Let’s Talk Day, and we encourage Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to join in the conversation.”
- The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador joined with other Atlantic provinces to match a $1 million donation by Bell Let’s Talk to the Strongest Families Institute. Strongest Families Institute is a not-for-profit corporation founded in Nova Scotia and is internationally recognized for its effective evidence-based programs for children, youth and families dealing with mild to moderate mental health and other issues impacting health and well-being.

"The Strongest Families team is very excited about this funding announcement so that we can extend our reach to help more families in Newfoundland and Labrador. Families in the province report high satisfaction with our services and the results show a strong impact on resolving presenting problems, improving academic progress and strengthening family relationships. We provide help quickly to families at the right time and the right place, in the comfort and privacy of their homes. We are grateful to Bell Let’s Talk and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for supporting us.”
- Dr. Patricia Lingley-Pottie, President and CEO, Strongest Families Institute

Strongest Families has been helping young people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador since 2015. Together, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Bell Let’s Talk are providing $450,000 that will allow the organization to better meet expanding service demands across the province.

“We commend all our government partners for their leadership and commitment to mental health and would like to thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for its support of Bell Let’s Talk Day 2017. Working together, we can help drive the conversation about mental health and provide significant support for more families throughout Atlantic Canada.”
- Mary Deacon, Chair, Bell Let’s Talk

Today, Bell will donate five cents to Canadian mental health programs for every text message, mobile call and long distance call made by Bell customers; every tweet and Instagram post using #BellLetsTalk; every view of the Bell Let's Talk Day video on Facebook ; and every use of the Bell Let's Talk geofilter on Snapchat. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk

QUICK FACTS

• The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is supporting Bell Let’s Talk Day.
• The Provincial Government joined with other Atlantic provinces to match a $1 million donation by Bell Let’s Talk to the Strongest Families Institute.
• Strongest Families has been helping young people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador since 2015.
• The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns.

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Media contacts:

Emily Timmins Media Relations Manager Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-6986, 693-1292 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca	Isabelle Boulet Bell Media Relations 877-799-6299 isabelle.boulet@bellaliant.ca
Tina Black Office Assistant, Strongest Families Institute 902-442-9520 admin@strongestfamilies.com

2017 01 25                              10:05 a.m.