Bell Let's Talk Day drives texting and calling to Olympian heights

Canadians answer Clara Hughes' call to join the conversation about mental health
Traffic on pace to exceed volumes experienced when Sidney Crosby scored Olympic Gold

MONTREAL, Feb. 9 2011 -- Today is Bell Let's Talk Day and the response from Canadians is already Olympian in scale. Responding to national spokesperson Clara Hughes' call to Canadians to join the conversation, texting and long-distance calling by Bell and Bell Aliant customers is on pace to exceed the traffic experienced when Sidney Crosby scored to win Canada hockey Gold - a previous Bell volume record.

"I'm so proud of how Canadians from coast to coast have responded to Bell Let's Talk Day and our call to both fight the stigma around mental illness and promote mental health. We're half way through the day and on pace to break records - let's keep talking Canada!" said Ms. Hughes, Canada's six-time Olympic medalist, the nation's flag bearer at Vancouver 2010, and national spokesperson for Bell Let's Talk Day.

For every text message sent and every long distance call made by Bell and Bell Aliant customers today, Bell will donate 5 cents to programs dedicated to mental health. Regular long distance and text message charges apply.

Bell Let's Talk Day is the high-profile anti-stigma component of the Bell Mental Health Initiative, a five-year, $50-million charitable initiative dedicated to promoting Canadian mental health.

Since January 17, a national promotional campaign focused on the world-famous smile of Clara Hughes has invited Canadians to join the conversation about mental health. By relating her own story of depression during the campaign, Clara has encouraged changing attitudes towards mental health, an important first step in removing the stigma that impacts so many Canadians affected by mental health issues.

Canadians have been joining Clara in the mental health conversation not only by talking and texting but also by visiting bell.ca/letstalk to learn more - and to add their own smiles to the portal alongside Clara's world-famous smile.

About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs, including Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell Satellite TV and Bell Fibe TV, Bell Home Phone local and long distance, and Bell Business Markets IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services. Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For Bell product and service information, please visit bell.ca. For BCE corporate information, please visit bce.ca.


For further information:

Media inquiries:

Albert Lee
Bell Media Relations
(905) 614-6604
albert.lee@bell.ca


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