On the 10th anniversary of Bell Let’s Talk Day, THE SOCIAL’s Marci Ien and YOUR MORNING’s Anne-Marie Mediwake encourage conversation surrounding mental health as the hosts of the new special AWARENESS, ACCEPTANCE, AND ACTION: A BELL LET’S TALK DAY PRIMETIME SPECIAL, premiering Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV2, CTV.ca, the CTV app, and Crave.
Featuring discussions on the current and future state of mental health in Canada, the one-hour special includes an exclusive interview with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his office in Ottawa, fronted by THE SOCIAL’s Melissa Grelo, discussing mental health policies in this country.
The special also includes an in-depth interview with Bell Let’s Talk Chair Mary Deacon about the heartbreaking experience of losing both her brothers to suicide and how it became her mission to make life better for people struggling with mental illness. Plus, the special features a retrospective look at Bell Let’s Talk over the last decade while also catching up with supporters including founding spokesperson Clara Hughes and Howie Mandel. Hughes and Mandel share their coping mechanisms to take care of their mental health, which includes daily movement and talking to family and loved ones. Ien and Mediwake also talk to those on the front lines of mental health care in Canada, and focus on the actions being taken to care for others and ourselves.
“Through the years it has been a privilege to speak to Canadians about their mental health challenges and triumphs. There is something special about the sharing of stories that brings us closer together,” said Marci Ien. “Our special will check in with some past guests, and those who have been a part of the Bell Let’s Talk movement from the very beginning.”
“Bell Let’s Talk Day continues to ignite conversations in both my personal and professional life. Talking, as I’ve learned, is an incredible first step and highlights not only the issue, but the need for resources,” said Anne-Marie Mediwake, co-host of YOUR MORNING. “There are incredible people across the country who work to bring services to those in crisis and it’s a privilege to introduce them to all Canadians.”
Back for its second year, the companion special BELL LET’S TALK LIVE streams live on Twitter on-location from Toronto’s CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). Hosted by Grelo, BELL LET’S TALK LIVE features interviews with medical experts, celebrities, and other notable guests to add a fresh perspective to Bell Let’s Talk Day, while also highlighting contributions from social media. BELL LET’S TALK LIVE begins at 6:45 p.m. ET and continues with live interviews during the commercial breaks of AWARENESS, ACCEPTANCE, AND ACTION: A BELL LET’S TALK PRIMETIME SPECIAL. The special concludes with audience-submitted questions answered by a panel of mental health experts from 8 – 8:15 p.m. ET. Viewers can watch the show on Twitter (@Bell_LetsTalk) and join the conversation using #BellLetsTalk.
Bell will donate 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for each of the following communications on Bell Let’s Talk Day, at no extra cost to participants beyond what they would normally pay their service provider for online or phone access:
- Talk and text: Every text message, mobile and long distance call made by Bell, Bell Aliant or Bell MTS wireless and phone customers
- Twitter: Every tweet and retweet using #BellLetsTalk, featuring the special Bell Let’s Talk emoji, and every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at com/Bell_LetsTalk
- Facebook: Every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at com/BellLetsTalk and every use of the Bell Let’s Talk frame
- Instagram: Every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at com/Bell_LetsTalk
- Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let’s Talk filter and every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view
- YouTube: Every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at com/BellCanada
Total Bell Let’s Talk Day interactions since the first event in 2011 stand at 1,013,915,275, and Bell’s funding commitment for mental health, including the company’s donations based on Bell Let’s Talk engagement and its original $50 million donation to launch the initiative, is now at $100,695,763.75.
