Bell Let's Talk and True Patriot Love announce applications are now open for the 2015 Bell True Patriot Love Fund

• $250,000 annual fund to support mental health of Canadian military families
• Apply online at truepatriotlove.com/about-us/tpl-national-programs/

MONTRÉAL, June 22, 2015 /CNW/ - The Bell True Patriot Love Fund today announced that applications are being accepted for grants to support programs that focus on improving access to mental health care for Canadian military families.

Launched in 2013, the Bell True Patriot Love Fund is a $1-million program providing grants from $5,000 up to $25,000 to community mental health initiatives for Canadian military families, veterans and serving members. Since its launch, the Fund has provided 32 grants to programs delivered through Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) and other charities that work to improve access to mental health care in military communities across the country.

"Bell Let's Talk is pleased to work with True Patriot Love to support our military families," said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "The Bell True Patriot Love Fund is making a difference in the lives of families with grants to organizations that provide access to mental health care to help military members and their families cope with the unique challenges of military life."

"True Patriot Love is grateful for the continued support Bell has provided in creating a long-term mechanism to support mental health care for the Canadian Armed Forces community," said Bronwen Evans, President of True Patriot Love. "Together, we are committed to creating a positive change and ending the stigma surrounding mental health that impacts Canadians in, and out, of uniform."

The application window for the 2015 Fund opens today. Applications will be accepted until August 21, 2015. The Fund will be open exclusively to programs that focus on increasing access to mental health support for soldiers, veterans, and their families. The True Patriot Love Foundation manages and administers the Fund.

To learn more about the Bell True Patriot Love Fund and to apply for 2015 funding, please visit truepatriotlove.com/about-us/tpl-national-programs/.

About True Patriot Love
True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL) is a national charity that honours the sacrifices of members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans and their families in both times of peace and conflict. TPL funds unique programs and innovative research in the areas of family health and support, physical health and rehabilitation, mental health and wellbeing, and research and innovation. TPL is also committed to changing the conversation about our nation's veterans, hosting multinational symposiums and organizing ambitious global expeditions. Since 2009, True Patriot

Love has raised more than $20 million to support military charities across Canada.  For more information, please visit www.truepatriotlove.com.

About Bell Let's Talk
The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns – like Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk and the annual Bell Let's Talk Day – and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Media inquiries:

Amy Simmonds
Communications Coordinator, True Patriot Love Foundation
[email protected]
647 628 9241
@tplfoundation

Jacqueline Michelis
Bell Media Relations
613 785-1427
[email protected] 
@Bell_News

SOURCE Bell Canada