Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health receives $1 million donation from
Bell

First major mental health institution gift in Bell's national initiative to support mental health Investment in the Royal's innovative Telepsychiatry Program benefits remote communities

OTTAWA, Sept. 21 /CNW Telbec/ - As part of its unprecedented corporate investment in mental health, Bell today announced a donation of $1 million over five years to the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health to support the use of video conferencing services for mental health care.

The donation to The Royal, one of Canada's leading providers of telemedicine and community outreach services, will enhance and expand the Royal's Telepsychiatry Program. The Program will help make services like psychiatric consultations via video conferencing more accessible and effective.

"Bell is committed to improving mental health care access at all levels and in every part of Canada. Partnering with a world-class mental health care provider like The Royal and its leading approach to telepsychiatry is a great fit with our initiative," said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell's Mental Health Initiative. "The Royal Ottawa Telepsychiatry Program encourages real innovation in mental health care and accessibility for many smaller communities, key objectives at the core of our new community investment program."

The Royal provides services throughout Eastern Ontario and, in partnership with other organizations, supports mental health care in northern Ontario communities like Timmins, Kapuskasing, Iroquois Falls, Kirkland Lake, Sturgeon Falls, as well as in Nunavut and Yukon territories.

"Telemedicine presents the greatest opportunity to expand the reach of mental health care to outlying areas. This program will increase access to specialized mental health consultations for patients and health care providers in Eastern Ontario and beyond. Bell's donation will make a significant impact in the communities we serve," said Dr. Raj Bhatla, Chief of Staff and Psychiatrist in Chief, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group.

One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, yet only one-third of those who need mental health services in Canada actually receive them. And according to the World Health Organization, mental illness is the leading cause of disability in Canada, the U.S. and Western Europe.

The donation to the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health is part of Bell's new Mental Health Initiative, the largest ever program undertaken by a Canadian corporation in support of mental health. Bell's program focuses on four key pillars: addressing the stigma surrounding mental health; improving community care and access; supporting more research; and improving mental health in the workplace.

About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs, including Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell TV direct-to-home satellite television and Bell Fibe TV, Bell Home phone local and long distance, and IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services. Bell is proud to be a Premier National Partner and the exclusive Telecommunications Partner to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For information on Bell's products and services, please visit www.bell.ca. For corporate information on BCE, please visit www.bce.ca.

For further information: For media inquiries, please contact: Nicole Loreto, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, 613.722.6521 #6448, [email protected]; Jacqueline Michelis, Bell Media Relations, 613 785-1427, 1 888 482-0809, [email protected]