Major fund-raising campaign for South Shore hospital

Bell donates $300,000 to the Fondation Hôpital Charles-Lemoyne for its adolescent psychiatric unit

Greenfield Park, November 11, 2011 – The Fondation Hôpital Charles-LeMoyne is pleased and honoured to announce a philanthropic partnership with Bell as part of its major fund raising campaign—Un avenir en santé. Chez nous! Bell has generously contributed $300,000 to the foundation over a three-year period. Part of the Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative, this support is earmarked for the development of mental health care and services in the Hôpital Charles-LeMoyne (HCLM) adolescent psychiatric unit.

With the funding it receives, the adolescent psychiatric unit will be able to enhance its facilities, in particular by adding at least six short-term beds and providing related services so that young patients can obtain treatment closer to home. It has been shown that maintaining constant contact between patients and their families is essential given the positive impact this has on the treatment of mental health problems and the recovery process.

The funding will also be used to upgrade the unit, which is now obsolete and clearly too small, by creating a friendly and welcoming environment that meets the needs for privacy, confidentiality and autonomy, and so facilitates the treatment process and the sharing of information with medical staff.

"Mental illness is a major health issue that affects people of all ages of course," said Martine Turcotte, Bell's Vice Chair, Québec. "But in 2009-2010, 48% of teenagers in the Montérégie region who required hospitalization for psychiatric problems had to be transferred to Montréal because of a shortage of space. Bell is happy to partner with the Hôpital Charles-LeMoyne to help ensure that young people on the South Shore requiring treatment for mental health issues can be closer to their families and friends at a vulnerable time.”

Said Foundation chair Dr. Régent L. Beaudet: "We are honoured that Bell has decided to support the foundation's cause and the adolescent psychiatric unit at Charles LeMoyne. The HCLM's mental health organization is the largest in the Montérégie region. The medical team assigned to provide mental health services at the adolescent psychiatric unit is comprised of 12 healthcare professionals who are recognized for their unique expertise. Since 1999, the HCLM has been entrusted with providing short-term beds to Montérégie teens between 12 and 17 who need psychiatric care and services. Bell's financial support will have a positive impact not only on the provision of care, but also on the quality of life of our patients."

About Bell

Bell is Canada’s largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communication 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 Media is Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media, including CTV, Canada’s #1 television network, and the country’s most-watched specialty channels.

Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For information on Bell’s products and services, please visit Bell.ca. For Bell Media, please visit BellMedia.ca. For BCE corporate information, please visit BCE.ca.

About Bell Let’s Talk

The Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative is a multi-year charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada via the Bell Let’s Talk anti-stigma campaign and support for community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

About the Fondation Hôpital Charles-LeMoyne

Created in 1964, the Fondation Hôpital Charles-LeMoyne's mission is to help fund the projects of Hôpital Charles-LeMoyne based on its objectives and established priorities in terms of improving the population's state of health. The foundation's goal is to enable all inhabitants of the Montérégie region to access a highly specialized regional hospital.

For more information:

Annie Gauthier, Communications Coordinator and Internal Development Officer
Fondation Hôpital Charles-LeMoyne
450 466-5000, ext. 3766
annie.gauthier@fhclm.ca

Marie-Eve Francoeur
Bell, Media Relations
1 855 391-5263
marie-eve.francoeur@bell.ca
@Bell_News

SOURCE Community investments