Bell Let’s Talk supports Artbeat Studio

Bell Let’s Talk supports community mental health in Manitoba

2016 Community Fund grants for 7 more local mental health organizations

WINNIPEG, October 6, 2016 – In celebration of Mental Illness Awareness Week, Bell Let’s Talk today announced grants totalling $100,000 to help 7 local Manitoba organizations deliver mental health support in their communities.

“Bell Let’s Talk funds the work of major health care institutions, universities and other national research and care initiatives, but we know it’s critical to get behind the smaller and more local mental health groups that make such a positive difference for people living with mental illness,” said Clara Hughes, Canada’s 6-time Olympic medallist and national spokesperson for Bell Let’s Talk. “As a loyal Manitoban and proud Canadian, I’m very happy that we’re able to support more of these great grassroots initiatives here in my home province and in every corner of the country with the Community Fund.”

The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund provides grants each year totaling $1 million for local mental health initiatives. Since 2011, the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund has supported almost 350 community groups in every region of Canada, including the 72 receiving grants this year.

This year’s Manitoba recipients are: Artbeat Studio Inc., Artists in Healthcare Manitoba, Eastman Safety Training Centre, Inspire Community Outreach Inc., Jewish Child and Family Service – Winnipeg, Manitoba Schizophrenia Society, and Siloam Mission.

“On behalf of all Manitoba recipients of community fund grants in 2016, Siloam Mission wishes to thank Bell Let’s Talk for recognizing the importance of supporting people living with mental health issues and their families at the local level,” said Laiza Pacheco, Director of Programs at Siloam Mission. “With this new funding, we and other organizations will be able to offer more mental health support services to more people in Manitoba.”

To learn more about the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

To learn more about Mental Illness Awareness Week, please visit camimh.ca.

About Bell Let’s Talk

Bell Let’s Talk promotes mental health based on 4 action pillars: anti-stigma, care and access, new research, and workplace best practices. Bell Let’s Talk was launched in 2010 as a 5-year program with a $50 million donation from Bell, and a commitment to grow funding based on the engagement of Canadians in the cause on Bell Let’s Talk Day each year.

In September 2015, the fifth anniversary of the initiative, Bell announced it would extend Bell Let’s Talk a further 5 years and commit to at least $100 million in total funding for Canadian mental health.

Bell’s total donation commitment to mental health has now grown to $79,919,178.55. Since 2010, Bell Let’s Talk has supported more than 600 organizations from the largest healthcare and research institutions to the smallest grassroots mental health organizations in every province and territory. [hr]