Bell Aliant supports third annual Bell Let's Talk Day Campaign

On February 12, let's talk about mental health and end the stigma around mental illness

• On February 12, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health for every text and long distance call by Bell and Bell Aliant customers, tweet using #BellLetsTalk and Facebook share of the Bell Let's Talk image
• National spokesperson Clara Hughes along with Michel Mpambara and Stefie Shock invite you to talk about mental illness to help end the stigma
• Seamus O'Regan joins the Bell Let's Talk team
• To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk

HALIFAX, Jan. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Bell and Bell Aliant today launched the third annual nation-wide Bell Let's Talk Day campaign, inviting Canadians to join the conversation about mental health on Bell Let's Talk Day, February 12.

For every text message sent and every long distance call made by Bell and Bell Aliant customers, every tweet using #BellLetsTalk and every Facebook share of our Bell Let's Talk image on February 12, Bell will donate 5 cents to programs dedicated to mental health (regular long distance and text charges apply).In 2012, 8 million Canadians answered the call with more than 78 million text messages and long distance calls on Bell Let's Talk Day, resulting in over $3.9 million donated to mental health initiatives across the country.

"The stigma associated with mental illness can be the biggest barrier to people getting the help they need," said Karen Sheriff, President and CEO, Bell Aliant. "We are proud to partner in this national initiative once again, and we are encouraging our employees and our customers to participate, so together we can help raise awareness and provide much-needed assistance to the one in five Canadians impacted by mental illness."

Starting today, Bell Let's Talk 2013 will be supported by a national promotional campaign featuring Clara Hughes, Canada's six-time Olympic medalist and national spokesperson for Bell Let's Talk, as well as singer-songwriter Stefie Shock and Michel Mpambara, comedian and actor, both from Quebec. Joining the Bell Let's Talk team this year is award-winning journalist and CTV National News team correspondent Seamus O'Regan. Together Clara, Stefie, Michel and Seamus will lead the national conversation about mental health throughout the day on February 12.

"Over the past two years Canadians from coast to coast to coast have enthusiastically joined the conversation to talk about mental health on Bell Let's Talk Day," said Ms. Hughes. "Every day 500,000 Canadians miss work due to a form of mental illness, not because they are lazy or enjoy it, but because they need help. So on February 12, let's talk Canada!"

The Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a multi-year, $50-million charitable program based on four action pillars: anti-stigma, care and access, research, and workplace best practices. With Bell Let's Talk Day as its anti-stigma centrepiece, the initiative is providing significant funding for leading mental health hospitals and grassroots organizations, driving new workplace initiatives across corporate Canada, and supporting new research.

Mental health is a focus of Bell Aliant's community program. Since 2011, Bell Aliant has given more than $1 million to support local programs that reduce stigma, and increase access to care, such as Dots NB; Laing House, NS; Health PEI and Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland & Labrador.

Bell Let's Talk Community Fund 2013
The third annual Bell Let's Talk Community Fund also launched today, and will distribute $1 million in 2013 to local organizations across Canada that are working to end stigma and increasing access to mental health care.

In 2012, Bell Aliant presented funding to 16 mental health organizations that work directly to improve access to care across its communities, including Friends for Life, NS; Capital Region Mental Health & Addictions, NB; College of the North Atlantic, NL; and PEI Fire Marshall's Office.

To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk, find us on Facebook.com/BellAliant and follow us on Twitter @Bell_Aliant.

About Bell Aliant
Bell Aliant (TSX: BA) is one of North America's largest regional communications providers and the first company in Canada to cover an entire city with fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology with its FibreOP™ services. Through its operating entities it serves customers in six Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added business solutions. Bell Aliant's employees deliver the highest quality of customer service, choice and convenience.

SOURCE: BELL ALIANT INC.

Isabelle Robinson
Bell Aliant Corporate Affairs
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