On January 28, 2014 Bell is getting the conversation rolling on mental health in Canada with their fourth annual Bell Let’s Talk day.
For every text, mobile and long distance call made by a Bell customer, Bell will give a five cent donation to help push mental health institutions across Canada into supporting new workplace initiatives in regards to mental health. Bell will also do the same for every tweet made with the hash tag #BellLetsTalk, alongside every Facebook share of the Bell Let’s Talk photo to aid mental health research at Canadian universities and institutions.
An information fair in Vari Hall and Central Square occurred today, where mental health groups at York including Active Minds @ York and the MAD Positive Student Coalition gave out resources and information on mental health awareness.
While 20 per cent of Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, only one-in-three suffering will seek help due to the stigma associated with mental health. Talking about mental health is the first step towards meaningful change and greater awareness, acceptance and action.
Active Minds @ York, a small branch of a North American-wide corporation, also works towards similar goals. They aim to provide students with the opportunity to talk openly, while also equipping students with access to resources and services to use.
Inderjeet Singh, current president of Active Minds at York explains that “mental health is a topic that has been kept under the rug. The leading factors that continue to bury it today include shame, seldom conversation about mental health and general ignorance associated with the topic.”
“It’s no surprise that we have psychological disorders or suicide as one of the leading causes of death for those between the ages of 15 and 24. These statistics are scary and will only become worse in our fast-paced, high-stress lifestyle,” Singh adds.
She points out that the more people are made aware of mental health issues in the community, the sooner systems and policies that govern mental health in Canada can change.
“What we really need to work on is educating children and teens on mental health just like we teach them sexual health and education or physical activity,” she says. Singh also suggests that teachers need specific training to recognize and support children and teen in distress.
Victoria Znajewski, current secretary of Active Minds, adds that ignorance about mental illness is still wide-spread.
“Students don’t know fully what mental illness is, so they brush it aside. The more promotion there is and the more knowledge they have regarding available resources, it can help to prevent mental illness from happening.”
Znajewski says that students should not be afraid to speak, and seek help when needed from counselling and disability services at York.
Small steps towards a better, healthier future starts with a single conversation. Join the conversation. #LetsTalk
Julia Alfano
Contributor
