Bell "Let's Talk" Day...

DarthMaeglin
DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
edited January 2021 in A Moving Train
Not sure how many are aware of this, but Bell (Canada) is trying to raise awareness of mental health issues by contributing 5 cents for every text or long distance call made by Bell customers today. For those who aren't customers (including non-Canadians), there's a picture to share on Facebook, or the hashtag #BellLetsTalk will also raise the 5 cents.
At noon today (Eastern time) there had already been over 33 million shares/tweets/texts/calls, which works out to roughly $1.6 million so far (over 6 hours ago).
Hope posting this isn't out of line and I've put it in the right place, since this is an important issue for so many today (including myself, I'll admit).
Thanks.

Edit: Here's the website for 2017, with the growth of social media platforms over the years there's now more options available to participate, thanks again to all who have helped support this cause.

Edit for the most recent website (2018).

Edited again for 2019.

Edited again for 2020, lol.

Edited in 2021

https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/news/
"The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
Post edited by DarthMaeglin on
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Comments

  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention; it certainly is a worthwhile topic to raise.

    While on the subject, though, I see you posted about the "idiotic" Canadian justice system giving 2:1 credit for pre-trial incarceration in another thread on AMT. Are you aware of the tremendously high rate of mental illness in inmates? The Conservative pushes to both "get tough" on crime by increasing minimum sentences, and also trim budgets by cutting funds that could improve mental health services, will disproportionately impact those unlucky enough to find themselves mentally ill and in conflict with the law.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    Darth - I see we are cross-posting at each other in different threads. I'm glad to see you cared enough to take in some of the info I posted in the "idiot" thread. :)
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
    oftenreading wrote: »
    Darth - I see we are cross-posting at each other in different threads. I'm glad to see you cared enough to take in some of the info I posted in the "idiot" thread. :)

    No worries, and agreed that the mentally ill are often mistreated within the justice system here, often because of the acts they've committed (Richard Kachkar springs to mind, though he was deemed NCR). I caught a bit of an interesting piece on The Fifth Estate the other night that looked into just this issue.

    It's such a difficult issue for the justice system to handle appropriately, especially given so many of the stigmas and misunderstanding that are out there. As usual, the best solution begins with education and awareness, in my opinion.

    Thanks for your support on this thread as well.
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    I hope not just awareness is raised, but treatment / possible prevention of it as well.
  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
    hedonist wrote: »
    I hope not just awareness is raised, but treatment / possible prevention of it as well.

    Agreed, the proceeds are donated to mental health initiatives within Canada. My bad for not including that in my original post (rushed for dinner, lol). I believe they said that over the last 4 years over $67 million has been raised through this campaign.
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    edited January 2015
    I am texting up a storm now that you've reminded me. ..

    The NCR issue is a fascinating one and, I agree, wildly misunderstood by the population in general.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
    oftenreading wrote: »
    I am texting up a storm now that you've reminded me. ..

    The NCR issue is a fascinating one and, I agree, wildly misunderstood by the population in general.

    Thanks!

    (Back in a bit, off to watch Arrow, lol.)
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
    During the show they gave an update that it's up to just under 103 million calls/texts/tweets/shares, which means over $5 million raised so far! Thanks to any that have participated!

    And just to be clear (since this is an international board, lol), texts and long distance calls will only "work" if you're a Bell customer. The rest of us have to do the online thing. Thanks again!
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    I'm not on Facebook or Twitter, but those numbers are heartening! Goes to show that not all people (or Canadians?) are assholes :D
  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
    Agreed about the numbers being a good thing. The point of the whole campaign is to get people talking and thinking about these issues, as well as to try and get rid of the stigmas around this, as much as it is to raise money.

    I tried to check the hours it'll run and couldn't find it, I'm assuming at least until midnight Pacific. The website shows over 104 million now.

    http://letstalk.bell.ca/en/?utm_source=letstalk&utm_medium=takeover&utm_content=letstalk2015&utm_campaign=TODAY

    I hope I'm not annoying people with all the updates, lol.
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    Not at all annoying (and in the right place, per your original post).

    Always nice to see something positive.
  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
    hedonist wrote: »
    Not at all annoying (and in the right place, per your original post).

    Always nice to see something positive.

    Glad I got it right, lol. Figured if any group would be open to this sort of social cause, PJ fans would have no problem with it, lol.

    I've only been active here for a couple months now, and it's because of the environment you guys have created that I felt comfortable touching on my own situation, so thanks everyone!
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,302
    Ma Bell, I've got the ill communications
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
    Thanks to any and all that participated in one way or another (even if it was just to think or talk about the issue).
    The final numbers were just over (is a hundred thousand really "just over," lol?) 122 million calls/texts/shares/tweets, which means Bell will contribute $6,107,538.60 to various mental health care intiatives in Canada.
    I guess you can expect me to resurrect this thread next year, lol. Thanks again!
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
    It's Bell "Let's Talk" Day in Canada, hope that those who need the help and understanding get it. Here's the link to the official site, I believe there are still options for "international participants."

    http://letstalk.bell.ca/en/
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
    Just a few hours left, they're up over 97 million "interactions," at 5cents apiece.
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    Good show, Bell Canada!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
    Just did the math for the over 116 million so far...almost $6 million will be donated by Bell to mental health initiatives, with an hour (or 3? Not sure about the time zones on this, lol) to go.

    Admittedly, these days $6 million Canadian is like what, 38 buck US, lol?
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,473
    edited January 2016
    someone I follow on twitter kept posting that they would not support this initiative, as apparently some of the money goes to some group that organizes LBGT "curing" therapies???

    edit: it's "trans-reparative" therapy

    https://alexanderbauerauthor.wordpress.com/2015/01/28/bell-lets-talk-is-feeding-a-monster/
    Post edited by HughFreakingDillon on
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,989
    HughFreakingDillon said:

    someone I follow on twitter kept posting that they would not support this initiative, as apparently some of the money goes to some group that organizes LBGT "curing" therapies???

    edit: it's "trans-reparative" therapy

    https://alexanderbauerauthor.wordpress.com/2015/01/28/bell-lets-talk-is-feeding-a-monster/

    That's sad to hear from both sides of the coin.

    On a more positive note, the site is showing that $6,295,764.75 will be donated by Bell to various mental health initiatives (I guess that makes it $40 US, lol).

    Many thanks to any and all who participated this year, I expect I'll be bumping this thread again next year, lol.
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022

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