Bell Let’s Talk boosts mental health support for students and Indigenous youth in Manitoba

$310,000 in funding for Red River College Polytechnic, Sagkeeng Child and Family Services, and 6 other community partners across Manitoba
Bell Let’s Talk kicks off a new year of action and change in mental health on January 24

WINNIPEG, January 16, 2024 – Bell Let’s Talk today announced $310,000 in mental health support for Red River College Polytechnic, Sagkeeng Child and Family Services, and 6 other community partners across Manitoba. Since launching in 2010, Bell Let’s Talk has invested over $4 million to support the mental health of Manitobans in partnership with 66 community-based organizations across the province.

A Bell Let’s Talk Post-Secondary Fund donation of $100,000 to Red River College Polytechnic will support the launch of a student co-designed stress and well-being peer support program. The funding will enable RRC Polytech to engage with expert partners and students to develop an innovative peer support program to improve student wellness across 8 campus locations throughout Manitoba, enhancing belonging, connection, and well-being for students as they learn.

A Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund donation of $100,000 to Sagkeeng Child and Family Services Inc., in partnership with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Manitoba, will support delivery of Bounce Back and Living Life to the Full with an Indigenous Perspective. Based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, BounceBack helps adults and youth who are experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or may be feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry. The Living Life to the Full program provides help for people dealing with everyday life challenges and connects participants with skills for problem solving, self-management, and coping with stress. This project will train staff to deliver CMHA’s BounceBack and Living Life programs in-person and enhance access to culturally informed mental health care to better facilitate support for approximately 1,000 Indigenous people in the community.

In addition, $110,000 of Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund donations have been received by 6 Manitoba organizations moving mental health forward across the province. Newcomers Employment & Education Development Services (N.E.E.D.S.) Inc., Child and Family All Nations Coordinated Response Network, Candace House, Bruce Oake Recovery Centre, Kidthink Children’s Mental Health Centre Inc. (KIDTHINK), and Steinbach Community Outreach have been selected for grants to improve access to mental health care, supports and services for Manitobans.

“Bell Let’s Talk is proud to support our 8 new community partners in Manitoba that are connecting youth and adults living with mental health challenges with the critical support they need, when and where they need it. Bell Let’s Talk continues to support organizations like these across the country and we look forward to kicking off another year of action and real change for mental health with partners across Canada on Bell Let’s Talk Day, January 24.”

– Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk

“The goal of RRC Polytech’s Healthy Minds Healthy College Strategy is to enhance belonging, connection and well-being, so students can thrive in their educational journeys and lives. Thanks to the Bell Let’s Talk Post-Secondary Fund, we will be launching an innovative Peer Support program for students, co-designed by students. The program aligns with our mental health strategy, which includes reducing stigma and barriers to seeking support as well as promoting a proactive approach to stress reduction and wellness, rather than waiting until crisis hits.”

– Fred Meier, President and CEO, Red River College Polytechnic

“Our vision of Sagkeeng Child and Family Services is to strengthen and enhance the family unit by responding to the changing needs of our culturally diverse community, providing quality mental health and wellness services using a preventative approach to promote self-determination. We are grateful for this new partnership with Bell Let’s Talk, which will enable us to link these new community programs with our Ojibway cultural heritage to better connect our children, youth, and families with their self-identity as they heal and grow.”

– Kelly Zukewich, Director of Training and Development, Sagkeeng Child and Family Services

Let’s create real change. Take action on Bell Let’s Talk Day and all year long!
On January 24 and every day throughout the year, we can all take meaningful action to create change. Let’s create real change asks everyone to play a role and provides practical examples of ways to create change in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities. Here are some actions we can all take:

Choose a mental health organization to learn about or support
Help a friend struggling with their mental health by learning how to support them
Ask about how your school, workplace or community is creating change for mental health
Nurture your own well-being by practicing and learning mental health strategies
Get involved in a mental health initiative or organize an event to support mental health
Engage in conversations about mental health to fight stigma

Visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk for more ideas and share your actions using #BellLetsTalk and help inspire others to join the movement.

About Bell Let’s Talk
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 – and is part of Bell for Better. Since its launch in 2010, Bell Let’s Talk has partnered with more than 1,500 organizations providing mental health services throughout Canada, including hospitals, universities, local community service providers and other care and research organizations. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Media Inquiries:

Morgan Shipley
morgan.shipley@bellmts.ca
@Bell_LetsTalk