Reducing the Stigma of Mental Illness
Source: Bell Canada | Author: Corrie Omand | January 24, 2019
Many people living with a mental illness report that negative stereotypes about mental illness, and the resulting potential for discrimination, cause them more suffering than the illness itself. As a result, two thirds of those suffering from mental illness are too afraid to seek the help that they need.
Mental illness affects people of all ages and from all walks of life. It can take many forms, including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. Most individuals find ways to live with their illnesses but how they are treated by others often proves to be more of a challenge than the illness itself.
That’s why we are joining the conversation around mental health on Bell Let’s Talk Day, January 30th. Stigma surrounded many diseases in the past, but concerted efforts to confront these attitudes resulted in change for the better, including better treatment, more funding for research, and greater understanding from family, friends and colleagues. The goal is to achieve the same level of acceptance and understanding regarding mental illness.
On Bell Let’s Talk Day, for every text, mobile and long distance call made on the Bell network, tweet using #BellLetsTalk, social media video view, or use of the Facebook frame or Snapchat filter, Bell will contribute 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs.
You can download the Bell Let’s Talk toolkit to begin your own conversation about mental health at home, school or in the workplace, and also learn more about the five simple ways to end stigma.
Join us as we work together to break down the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
