Thursday (today) is the annual Bell “Let’s Talk Day,” encouraging dialogue on issues of mental wellbeing.
While the event is over a decade old, and has accomplished much in the way of raising awareness and lessening stigma, it is the first “Let’s Talk” of the pandemic era.
Monique Yashinski of the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre says despite efforts since the event began in 2010, there is still a core concern that has to be addressed.
Yashinski says while awareness has increased greatly, the complications of living with mental illness remain.
The more role models that self-identify with the cause, the more ease society feels with the dialogue.
Volumes of calls to the Robbie Dean Centre have increased dramatically due to pandemic isolation.
Since 2020 Let’s Talk Day has raised over 100 million dollars for mental health initiatives in Canada and generated in excess of 1.1 billion social interactions.
While Bell monitor response volumes associated with the annual campaign to determine the financial amount of its yearly contribution, it is in raising awareness that the initiative has met its greatest success.
You can reach the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre at 613-629-4243.
