Community News
Canada’s largest corporate mental health initiative commits $5 million to diversity fund
BY JANIECE CAMPBELL
Renowned telecommunications company, Bell, has dedicated a lot of time and money towards creating positive changes and supporting mental health across Canada.
Bell Let’s Talk, an awareness campaign created by the company, was inaugurated in 2011 to combat stigma surrounding mental illness. Originally beginning as a five-year $50 million commitment, the program has been renewed twice. This year, they have dedicated a further five years with a target goal of $155 million for action in mental health care, research and workplace health.
Recently, the campaign announced their latest initiative, ‘Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund’, a $5 million pledge to support the mental health and well-being of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities across the country. The newly implemented fund is intended to build on earlier funds to address the needs of these marginalized communities and has a strengthened focus on supporting initiatives that increase access to mental health services.
“Working with expert advisors and partners, the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund will offer grants to organizations working to make a positive and lasting difference for BIPOC communities in every region of the country,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “As our mental health initiative evolves, Bell Let’s Talk continues to embrace new opportunities to deliver culturally informed community supports addressing the mental health needs of racialized Canadians.”
The fund will award grants of up to $250,000 payable over 3-5 years to organizations that offer culturally informed and evidence-based mental health and wellness programs for BIPOC communities. In its initial launch on July 30th, Black Youth Helpline was one of the first organizations to receive the generous grant.
“With funding from Bell Let’s Talk, Black Youth Helpline will build on its successful history of services and resources to promote access to professional and culturally appropriate support for youth,” said Barbara Thompson, Founder and Executive Director of Black Youth Helpline. “Now more than ever, the importance of having mental health supports and services available to black youth across Canada is crucial.”
The National Association of Friendship Centers (NAFC) was another organization that had received an inaugural donation from the campaign.
“The National Association of Friendship Centres is excited to begin a partnership with Bell Let’s Talk to support the mental health and well-being of urban Indigenous communities,” said Jocelyn Formsma, Executive Director of NAFC. “We are thrilled that this funding will help to ensure our communities have access to culturally-specific mental health supports.”
This is nowhere near the first time that Bell has offered its charitable efforts. Just earlier this year, Bell Let’s Talk announced that it would be providing $5 million in funding for organizations remotely delivering mental health support amid the COVID-19 crisis. The funding helped five organizations support people experiencing isolation, anxiety and other existing challenges during these past difficult months.
“The biggest public health crisis in a lifetime, COVID-19 demands an unprecedented response across every part of Canadian society, including finding new ways to accelerate the delivery of mental health services in such a challenging time,” said President and CEO of Bell, Mirko Bibic, in a press release.
The Diversity Fund is now accepting expressions of interest until September 14th. Canadian registered charities, non-profit organizations and community organizations are all eligible for consideration.
“Bell has taken a strong stance against racism and social injustice and we’re taking meaningful action to address the impacts of systemic racism on Black, Indigenous and People of Colour within our company and across our communities,” said Bibic.
For more information about the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund, send an email to mentalhealth@bell.ca.