Bell Let’s Talk 2022: Join the Defence Team conversation about mental health

January 18, 2022 - Defence Stories

Bell Let’s Talk Day is Wednesday, January 26 and the Defence Team is joining in to help drive meaningful progress in mental health.

This year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign highlights the ways that we can support ourselves and those we care about through actions like listening, being there, and talking.

“Supporting someone who may have a mental illness always begins with a conversation. Asking someone if everything is all right in an empathic and nonjudgmental way can be an important first step on the road to recovery,” says Canadian Forces Health Services Chief of Psychiatry, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrea Tuka.

Here are some ways Defence Team members can participate in the 12^th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day to help create positive change:

Watch the Defence Team virtual panel discussion on mental health

The annual flagship event for Defence Team members will feature senior Defence Team leadership and Military Personnel Command’s Honorary Captain (Navy) Stephanie Richardson. They will talk about building awareness, acceptance, and action around mental health in the DND/CAF and beyond, and provide insights that Defence Team members can apply to improve their own mental health and well-being.

Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Time: 11 a.m to 12 p.m EST

Speakers/Panelists:

• DND/CAF Mental Health co-Champions
  • Bill Matthews, Deputy Minister of National Defence
  • Lieutenant-General (LGen) Frances Allen, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
  • Wanda Boudreau, President Federal Government Dockyard Chargehands Association
• Major-General (MGen) Marc Bilodeau, Canadian Armed Forces Surgeon General
• Suneeta Millington, Director General International Security Policy
• Honorary Captain (Navy) Stephanie Richardson, Military Personnel Command

Moderator: Lt(N) Esrom Tesfamichael

Defence Team members can participate virtually by accessing the following MS Stream link: https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/afb08188-54a6-460f-a2da-f6e34ec72b83

• Note: The stream of the event can only be viewed by DND/CAF users via D365 accounts. The video will be made available for viewing on The Maple Leaf after the stream ends.

Register for the Government of Canada Bell Let’s Talk Day Event

Registration is now open for the annual Bell Let’s Talk Day signature event for federal public servants and members of the Canadian Armed Forces, hosted by the Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace at Treasury Board Secretariat, the Canada School of Public Service, the Federal Youth Network and Bell Canada. The event takes place on January 26 from 1 p.m to 3 p.m EST.

Join the conversation on social media

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell will donate 5¢ (five cents) to support Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long distance call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, every view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video on social media, and every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat lens.

Defence Team members are also encouraged to share their own actions and thoughts to help inspire others and continue the conversation about mental health using the hashtag #GCMentalHealth.

Keep an eye out on the official DND/CAF Facebook and Instagram channels to learn more about the importance of mental health and the resources that are available to support personal well-being.  

Download the videoconferencing background

Let’s talk #GCMentalHealth background images for MS Teams and Zoom can be downloaded from the Bell Let’s Talk 2022 folder on GCconnex for you to use during virtual meetings.

Keep listening, talking and being there for ourselves and each other

We should always ask ourselves what action we are taking today to care for our own mental health and to support our colleagues.

Physical distancing does not mean breaking the bonds of our social connections. Reach out and connect virtually with a colleague, friend or family member today. Strong interpersonal relationships are key to maintaining good mental health.

Make use of available mental health supports

COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives, including our mental health. Tools are available to support ourselves and each other. Defence Team members have access to free virtual mental health resources, services and supports through the Defence Team COVID-19 – Mental Health and Wellness web page.

This Bell Let’s Talk Day, join the conversation and show your support for all those who live with mental illness and those taking action to help them.