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Inspiring actions with the Friends of Bell Let’s Talk

Posted January 18, 2021 in Bell Let's Talk by 0

COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives, including our mental health. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 40% of Canadians say their mental health has declined due to COVID-19, and 61% of people already struggling with their mental health said their mental health has declined since the onset of COVID-19. With the challenges we’ve all faced over the past year, taking every action to drive progress in mental health in our communities is of critical importance.

This year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign shines a light on the actions that we can all take to move mental health forward. Whether big or small, now more than ever, every action counts.

To provide some inspiration and ideas of actions we can take to support mental health, we connected with some of the Friends of Bell Let’s Talk – Canadians from all walks of life who share their stories of resilience and hope.

From spending time with family, to creating connections with others, having an exercise routine or daily meditation, our Friends of Bell Let’s Talk share the inspiring actions they are taking to support their own mental health during this time of uncertainty.

To learn more about each Friend and read their story, click on their name. You can get to know all the Friends of Bell Let’s Talk by visiting bell.ca/letstalk

Audley, Québec

“As a fitness instructor, to me the most important action is to stay physically fit so I also remain mentally healthy. I teach my classes online so I can also involve my usual students and reach new ones. This action of teaching is great both for myself and others. On top of staying fit, the whole group remains in touch and interacts with others. This is a part of the day that everybody can look forward to.”

Daniel, Québec

“My Zen time of the day is when I go to tend my hens and take a moment to appreciate the nature around me.”

David, Manitoba

“As the news about COVID-19 increased, I realized that as an essential worker, I had to cut out as much “noise” as possible. In April I turned off my radio, even the music stations, to limit my news exposure. I check online to see what guidelines I need to follow as I drive across North America. I started listening to podcasts and then realized I could do that since my outreach to others was very limited. So I started a podcast about mental health and trucking stories called Crazy Canuck Truckin’. It has been a lifesaver to talk to others and do what I can to help others.”

Jean-Pierre, Québec

“Since the start of COVID-19, my wife Liette and I have been thinking about how to help our loved ones in these difficult times. The idea of cooking and offering them food to make their task easier came to us among others, so we kept ourselves busy while helping our loved ones. In this way, we were putting positive things in our lives. Daily physical exercise, walking and cycling helped us to maintain our mental balance.”

Patricia, Québec

“I step out of my comfort zone by interrupting my telework day to give attention to my daughter while I’m literally in another world! This allows me to put into perspective what we have been going through for almost a year now without my schedule or my office being perfect. I remind myself: we are in a pandemic AND we are teleworking.”

Samuel, New Brunswick

 “A key thing I do for my mental health is working out almost daily. In the thick of the first wave of the pandemic my mental health had severely deteriorated; the symptoms of my anxiety disorder had become as intense as they were a decade ago. While I thought I was trying everything, I was lacking movement, as I no longer went to the gym. I reconnected with my trainer and explored virtual workouts. I now workout with my trainer virtually almost 5 times a week and my mental health is now much better, if not stronger!”

Shreya, Ontario

“Starting my day off right is the key to building a growth mindset. I prioritize my mental health daily by having a morning routine which consists of meditating and listening to positive affirmations as soon as I wake up followed by a great workout which helps boost my energy levels that carries on for the rest of the day.”

Souad, Québec

“To de-stress and unwind, I bake cakes and ask my son to help. Together we have a great time.”

Wali, Ontario

“Prayer has helped me with my anxiety & depression. Prayer helps me focus on the good. It brings me closer to my purpose of doing for humanity, and remembering that with challenges come growth. Like how diamonds are created under pressure and heat, we rise from our trials in life with faith. Regardless of our beliefs, a spiritual connection to the world and to universe can change our perspective on our personal growth.”


For ideas on how to take action to support positive mental health in your school, workplace, home or community, you can download the Bell Let’s Talk toolkit. The toolkit has printable and digital resources like a conversation guide, kindness box, self-care activity and more to help you start the conversation. Visit bell.ca/letstalk to download yours today.


Join in on Bell Let’s Talk Day, January 28!

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long-distance call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, every Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video, and every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat filter. All at no cost to participants beyond what they would normally pay their service provider for online or phone access.


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