Apply now for a grant from the 2014 Bell Let's Talk Community Fund

• $1 million fund enhances access to care through community mental health organizations
• Apply on line at Bell.ca/LetsTalk

MONTREAL, Jan. 24, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced that applications are open for the annual $1-million Bell Let's Talk Community Fund, which provides grants ranging from $5,000 up to $50,000 for community-based mental health initiatives from coast to coast to coast.

"The Bell Let's Talk Community Fund is dedicated to improving access to mental health care and fighting the stigma around mental illness at the grassroots level in every region of Canada," said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "Since 2011, more than 150 local mental health organizations in communities large and small have relied on grants from the Fund. We look forward to welcoming more community partners to Bell Let's Talk in 2014."

Registered not-for-profit organizations, charities, hospitals and social services agencies are invited to apply for funding of localized mental health programs.  The 2014 application period is open until March 31 via the Bell.ca/LetsTalk web site and grants will be disbursed before December 31, 2014.

"The mental health of Canadians is important to our Government," said The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health. "The Bell Let's Talk Community Fund is an invaluable resource which provides funds for community-based mental health initiatives. I applaud Bell for continuing to make these important investments, which go a long way in promoting the mental health of our children, families and Canadian communities."

While 20% of Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetimes, 2 in 3 suffer in silence for fear of being judged or rejected because of the continuing stigma. The Bell Let's Talk Community Fund is focused on enabling local, grassroots organizations in every province and territory to fight the stigma and enhance care options in their communities.

"Thanks to the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund for supporting our vision. As a result of this collaboration, we are empowering our three First Nation communities to become safer and stronger by reducing the risk of suicide," said Michele Bushey, a member of the Miramichi Community Suicide Prevention Committee in New Brunswick, a recipient of a Bell Let's Talk Community Fund grant in 2013. "We are proud to implement SafeTALK as a protective factor in our fellow First Nations communities."

To apply online for 2014 funding, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Bell Let's Talk Day is January 28
Launched in 2010, the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a national charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada with significant funding for community care, research, and workplace best practices, and fights the stigma around mental illness with high-profile events like Bell Let's Talk Day. Set for January 28, 2014, the fourth annual Bell Let's Talk Day invites Canadians to join the conversation and help end the stigma around mental illness.

On Bell Let's Talk Day, Bell donates 5 cents for every text, mobile call, and long distance call made by Bell and Bell Aliant customers, every tweet using #BellLetsTalk, and every Facebook share of the Bell Let's Talk Day image. Bell's donations are made at no extra charge to Bell Let's Talk Day participants, though normal long distance or text charges, if any, apply.

To date, Bell has already committed $62,043,289.30 to Canadian mental health, based on its original $50 million commitment and participation in Bell Let's Talk Day since 2011.

So far this year, Bell Let's Talk has announced a $2.5 million donation for Kids Help Phone to support the mental health of young people in Canada; the $1 million Bell Canada Chair in Adolescent Mood & Anxiety Disorders at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto; $225,000 for the Université Laval Foundation in Québec City to support student mental health; and, in partnership with Morneau Shepell and Queen's University, Canada's first university-certified workplace mental health training program in support of Canada's National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.

To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business customers with wireless, TV, Internet, home phone and business communications services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media. Bell is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more information, please visit Bell.ca

SOURCE: Bell Canada