- $5 million Bell Let's Talk
Diversity Fund now accepting expressions of interest
- Inaugural funding for Black Youth Helpline and National
Association of Friendship Centres
- Building on other Bell Let's Talk funds focused on Canada's
diverse communities
MONTRÉAL, July 30, 2020 /CNW
Telbec/ - Bell today announced the launch of a $5 million Bell Let's Talk Diversity Fund to
support the mental health and well-being of Black, Indigenous and
People of Colour (BIPOC) communities across Canada. Building on
earlier funds to address clear needs in Canadian communities, the
new program is focused on supporting initiatives that increase
access to culturally informed mental health services for racialized
Canadians.
"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 Mirko Bibic, President and CEO of BCE Inc. and
Bell Canada. "As part of this
commitment, I am pleased to announce the new $5 million Bell Let's Talk Diversity Fund
specifically focused on supporting BIPOC communities."
"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."
Inaugural partnerships
The Bell Let's Talk Diversity Fund is launching today with
inaugural donations of $250,000 to
these organizations:
- Black Youth Helpline, a volunteer-driven initiative founded in
Winnipeg that supports Black youth
and their families across Canada with a focus on education, health
and community development.
- National Association of Friendship Centres, the network of more
than 100 local Friendship Centres and Provincial/Territorial
Associations throughout Canada providing culturally enhanced
services for urban and off-reserve Indigenous people.
"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, 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 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."
The Bell Let's Talk Diversity Fund will provide grants of up to
$250,000 for organizations that offer
culturally informed and evidence-based mental health and wellness
programs for BIPOC communities while also aligning with the 4
action pillars of Bell Let's Talk: Anti-Stigma, Care and Access,
Research and Workplace Leadership. Registered charities and
not-for-profit groups wishing to apply for grants can learn more
about the fund and submit expressions of interest at
Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Expert advisors and partners
Bell Let's Talk is engaging with a wide range of advisors from
BIPOC communities across Canada including mental health experts and
people with lived experience. These leaders will provide guidance,
including on direction and priorities, as well as the review
process for expressions of interest received by the new
fund.
"Mental health has long been one of the top priorities for the
Black population of Canada," said Dr. Kwame
McKenzie, Director of Health Equity at CAMH, Professor and
Co-Director of the Division of Equity Gender and Population in the
Department of Psychiatry at the University of
Toronto, and CEO of the Wellesley Institute. "The impacts of
COVID-19 have made mental health even more important. I am
delighted that Bell Let's Talk has recognized the specific mental
health needs of the Black population of Canada with this new
initiative."
"As a Friend of Bell Let's Talk and a member of the Inuit
community in Iqaluit, I am
thrilled that this fund will help provide much needed mental health
supports and services for the BIPOC community," said Melynda Ehaloak, Registered Nurse and mental
health advocate. "Funding for culturally specific programs is so
important to supporting the mental health of our communities and
will help ensure the well-being of future generations."
"Recent events, including COVID-19, which has taken a heavy toll
in Black communities, and the international awareness of the
effects of systemic racism, have highlighted the importance of the
availability of mental health care for Canada's Black population,"
said Dr. Myrna Lashley, Assistant Professor in the Department
of Psychiatry at McGill University.
"The Bell Let's Talk Diversity Fund's aim of promoting and
supporting the mental health of Black, Indigenous and People of
Colour, is one I am very happy to endorse."
"Indigenous communities across Canada are engaged in reclaiming
and expressing traditional and cultural ways of knowing, being and
doing that support our peoples' mental health and wellness," said
Dr. Arlene Laliberté, a psychologist in Timiskaming First
Nation. "I am pleased that Bell Let's Talk is committing to combat
systemic racism that impacts Indigenous peoples' wellness every
day."
"Experiencing mental health and addiction issues as a member of
the Black community makes getting appropriate and timely support
even more difficult," said Paulette
Walker, Peer / Community Support Worker at CAMH. "I applaud
Bell Let's Talk for putting a spotlight on the mental health and
well-being of racialized and marginalized communities and investing
to create positive change."
In addition to the broad national Bell Let's Talk Community
Fund supporting a diverse range of grassroots mental health
initiatives in every province and territory, Bell Let's Talk has
launched funds for Indigenous mental health initiatives in Canada's
northern territories and in Manitoba, which have provided
grants to leading organizations such as Embrace Life Council, Ma
Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin, Bear
Clan Patrol, Behavioural Health Foundation, Strongest Families
Institute and Peguis Foundation.
The largest-ever corporate commitment to mental health in
Canada, Bell Let's Talk is focused
on 4 key action pillars – Anti-stigma, Care and Access, Research
and Workplace Leadership. Since its launch in 2010, Bell Let's Talk
has partnered with more than 1,000 organizations providing mental
health supports and services throughout Canada, including
hospitals, universities, local community service providers and
other care and research organizations. To learn more, please visit
Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing
advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet and business
communication services throughout the country. Bell Media is
Canada's premier content creation company with leading assets in
television, radio, out of home and digital media. Founded in
Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE:
BCE). To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
Media inquiries:
Vanessa Damha
514-870-6663
vanessa.damha@bell.ca
@Bell_LetsTalk
@Bell_News
SOURCE Bell Canada