Bell Let's Talk partners with the Sens Foundation to support D.I.F.D. and youth mental health

• It's Bell Sens Youth Mental Health Night when the Senators take on the Leafs at Scotiabank Place tomorrow night
• Watch Bell Let's Talk spokesperson Clara Hughes live on Hockey Night in Canada
• Next Wednesday, February 8 is Bell Let's Talk Day

MONTREAL, Feb. 3, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - February 4 is Bell Sens Youth Mental Health Night, when the Ottawa Senators host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Place tomorrow night. Bell and Clara Hughes, national spokesperson for the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative, are proud to join with the Sens Foundation in support of the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health and the D.I.F.D Fund.

D.I.F.D (Do it for Daron) is a youth-driven program focused on raising awareness and inspiring conversations about youth mental health. D.I.F.D was created by friends and family of Daron Richardson, who lost her life to suicide at the age of 14. Bell Sens Youth Mental Health Night will focus on inspiring conversations on the topic of youth mental illness and the organizations and resources available within the community that offer mental health support services to youth and their families.

Bell Let's Talk national spokesperson Clara Hughes will join in the puck drop with Daron's parents, Luke and Stephanie Richardson, and with Patrick Kidney, who created the winning design for the 2012 D.I.F.D shirts. Clara will also be featured on Hockey Night in Canada during both the pre-game show and second intermission, highlighting the need to talk about mental illness in order to fight the lingering stigma that keeps too many people from seeking the help they need.

"The Bell Sens Youth Mental Health Night is a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness about mental health in a very relevant way," said Ms. Hughes. "Only by talking openly about mental illness will we be able to break down the stigma that too often prevents people from seeking the help they need. Tomorrow, on Bell Sens Youth Mental Health Night, and on February 8, Bell Let's Talk Day, we invite everyone to join the conversation about mental health!"

On Bell Let's Talk Day, for every text message sent and every long distance call made by Bell and Bell Aliant customers, Bell will donate 5 cents to programs dedicated to mental health (regular long distance and text charges apply). Bell is also encouraging Canadians to follow the campaign on Twitter @Bell_LetsTalk and share a smile with a friend in support of mental health on Facebook at facebook.com/BellCanada. On February 8, Canadians will also be invited to retweet the Bell Let's Talk Day message. For each retweet, Bell will donate an additional 5 cents.

The Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a five-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, Bell's initiative is providing significant funding for leading mental health hospitals and grassroots organizations, driving new workplace initiatives across corporate Canada, and supporting new research - including a world-first research announcement planned for February.

To learn more about Bell Let's Talk, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs: Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell Satellite TV and Bell Fibe TV, Bell Home Phone local and long distance, and Bell Business Markets IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media, including CTV, Canada's #1 television network, and the country's most-watched specialty channels. Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For Bell products and services, please visit Bell.ca. For BCE corporate information, please visit BCE.ca.

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