CTV announced today an all-new special from Bell Media Studios, IN THIS TOGETHER: A BELL LET’S TALK DAY SPECIAL, hosted by ETALK’s Tyrone Edwards and THE SOCIAL’s Melissa Grelo, premiering Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV2, the all-new CTV.ca and CTV app and streaming on Crave.
After a tumultuous year, mental health matters now more than ever. Edwards and Grelo continue the crucial conversation about the importance of mental health as part of IN THIS TOGETHER: A BELL LET’S TALK DAY SPECIAL, featuring discussions with Canadians who share their individual mental health journey through a year that posed unique challenges across the country. From essential workers who risked their lives for their communities, to advocates continuing the fight for racial equality, the special is a reminder that the country must work together to bring about long-lasting, sustainable change to mental health awareness and support.
“A few years ago, Bell Let’s Talk inspired me to identify how I could ‘do my part,’, and I started focusing my efforts on the lack of assistance for mental health in underserved communities, like the one I grew up in,” said Edwards. “There are a lot of people who could use support with compounding issues that go unaddressed, including some that lead to irreparable damage. I want to talk about mental health because the people of my community will be better for it.”
“The words ‘in this together’ have not rung true for all Canadians during this pandemic, and many people feel more alone, vulnerable, and isolated than ever,” said Grelo. “From the long-term care resident, to the parent or student struggling with virtual school, to the remote community members needing lifesaving health care, everyone has a story and many need support. I hope this year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day continues vital conversations around how to support those struggling to cope because of this pandemic.”
The special features several segments including themes around COVID-19 essential workers, parenting in a pandemic, race and mental health, and seniors’ mental health. Plus, ETALK’s Traci Melchor speaks with Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette about “normalizing” the mental health conversation.
Other notable guests appearing in the special include Aisha Alfa, Alan Doyle, Candy Palmater, Giacomo Gianniotti, Jabari Greer, Jewel, Johnny Reid, Malin Akerman, Mayim Bialik, Tyler Stewart, and more.
During the special the following Canadians share their personal and professional stories:
Amanda Ricketts Fredrick
Teacher and Parent
Toronto, Ont.
Fredrick is a mother of two and a kindergarten teacher. She opens up about teaching in a low-income neighbourhood and the challenges that come with it.
David A. Robertson
Author and Parent
Winnipeg, Man.
Robertson is a Governor General’s award-winning author and graphic novelist. He shares his story of parenting five kids while also living with anxiety.
Ezechiel Nana
Student and Mental Health Advocate
Ottawa, Ont.
Nana, a university student working with Jack.org advocating for mental health in ethnically diverse communities, shares his story of resilience and how he became a passionate mental health advocate.
Gaetano Ruscito
Regional Manager, Retirement Residences
Montréal, Que.
Ruscito, a regional manager of four retirement homes in Montréal, Que., shares his experience of working with staff, senior residents, and families during the pandemic.
Kallisha Hoyes
Grocery Store Manager and Parent
Shelburne, Ont.
Hoyes, a mother of two who works as a grocery store manager in Mississauga, Ont., shares the stress of being an essential worker during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Dr. Matthew Chow
Psychiatrist and President, Doctors of BC
Vancouver, B.C.
Dr. Chow, President of Doctors of B.C., speaks out about the mental health of healthcare workers who are experiencing burnout during the pandemic.
Nicole Haughton
Registered Psychologist and Mom
Oakville, Ont.
Haughton is a registered psychologist with several years of experience working with children and adolescents.
OmiSoore Dryden
Associate Professor, Dalhousie University
Halifax, N.S.
Dryden, a professor at Dalhousie University, addresses how systemic racism affects access to health care and health systems for Black Canadians.
Dr. Samir Sinha
Director of Geriatrics, Mount Sinai
Toronto, Ont.
Dr. Sinha, a geriatrician focusing on the health of seniors in Canada, explains that even though the older population in Canada outnumbers the younger population, the country does not have many medical trainees in the geriatric field. He reminds viewers to reach out and connect to elders.
Sarah Ahmed
Psychotherapist
Toronto, Ont.
Ahmed, a psychotherapist working in a marginalized community, shares practical advice on how to access a therapist if one belongs to an ethnically diverse community.
Dr. Shelly Dev
Critical Care Physician, Sunnybrook Hospital
Toronto, Ont.
Dr. Dev, an ICU physician, speaks about staff burnout at the frontlines, living with post-partum anxiety and grief.
Susan Roper
Senior, Caregiver, and COVID-19 Survivor
Scarborough, Ont.
A senior, caregiver, and a COVID-19 survivor, Roper shares the experience of putting her husband Bob, in a long-term care facility because of Alzheimer’s.
Canadians can take part in the world’s largest mental health conversation by using a wide range of communications platforms to join in on Bell Let’s Talk Day – and directly drive Bell’s donations to Canadian mental health programs. On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long distance call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, every Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video, and every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat filter.
Following the premiere, IN THIS TOGETHER: A BELL LET’S TALK DAY SPECIAL is streaming on demand on CTV.ca and the CTV app, and Crave.
