Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund announces 11 new grant recipients

• $1.1 million in new grants for mental health programs supporting Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color (BIPOC) across Canada
• The Diversity Fund provides $4.45 million grants since launch in 2020

MONTREAL, January 17, 2023 /CNW Telbec/ – Bell Let’s Talk announced today $1.1 million in new Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund grants to support 11 more organizations helping create positive change for members of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities across Canada.

The Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund offers grants to organizations working to reduce the stigma of mental illness and increase access to culturally appropriate mental health and wellness support for BIPOC communities. Since the launch in 2020, 39 organizations across the country have received grants.

Eleven new organizations providing mental health services to a wide range of people in many diverse communities across the country have been selected to receive Diversity Fund grants.

“We are thrilled to announce our latest recipients of the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund. These organizations provide much needed supports and services in many diverse communities across the country. The grants help these organizations take meaningful action to help create positive change for those struggling. with mental health issues. Congratulations to these 11 outstanding organizations.

– Mary DeaconPresident of Bell Let’s Talk

Here are the grant recipients:

“This financial support from Bell Let’s Talk will strengthen Mount Carmel Clinic’s web of culturally relevant, sensitive and Elder-led health care and mental health services programs in Winnipeg. This generous gift will provide much-needed support to improve community engagement and connections through Indigenous ways of being, doing and knowing. Providing Indigenous peoples with unique and culturally relevant health services to their present and past needs, histories and experiences helps us deliver safe, caring and holistic community care. We are deeply grateful for this support and look forward to continuing our work together.”

– Debra Diubaldoholder of wisdom and aunt of the community and Bobbette ShoffnerExecutive Director, Mount Carmel Clinic

“We are thrilled to receive a grant from the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund for our counseling program for refugees and Arab newcomers. This program will provide access to mental health support services, such as walk-in consultations, group counseling sessions, support groups and crisis intervention for refugees and immigrants from the Middle East and North African countries. With this grant, our program will be able to reduce barriers to accessing mental health services for Arab refugees and newcomers. »

– Ayoub CherkaouiExecutive Director of the Canadian Center for Victims of Armed Conflict

« Foxe Kivalliq Basin North Sapujiyiit/Guardians of the Sea Society began as a grassroots initiative to protect the land, waters and people of Chesterfield Entrance, coral harbor and Naujaat, Nunavutbut has evolved to include mental health as a core component of our work due to the special bond Inuit have to earth. Support from Bell Let’s Talk will help them Sapujiyiit Society to integrate mental health services into life on the territory through workshops and support systems designed to address the unique mental health concerns of Inuit in Nunavut.”

– Sarah NewellExecutive director and Principal Investigator, Sapujiyit Society

“Ionkwahronkha ‘onhátie’ has been supporting Kanien’kéha (Mohawk) language learners at the local level since 2019. We are grateful to receive funding from Bell Let’s Talk to target support for mental health, wellness and the capacity of our organization and the Kanien’kéha Language Learning Community. We believe that mental health, healing and well-being are essential elements of language learning and we are delighted to have this opportunity to invest in these elements.

– Shea Sky, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Ionkwahronkha’onhátie’

“Each year, the Refugee Center serves thousands of refugees and newcomers across Montreal, developing and delivering culturally safe and innovative programs to help and empower our community. This support from Bell Let’s Talk will allow the Refugee Center to catalyze and enhance our efforts in focusing on reducing mental health stigma in BIPOC communities and directing newcomers/refugees to culturally safe resources. post-COVID-19.”

– Abdullah DaoudExecutive Director, Refugee Center

“VIBE Arts is thrilled to be a recipient of a Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund grant, supporting our Boreal Creates the Arts for Mental Health and Community Engagement program. This funding will allow us to work with community organizations in Northern Ontario. Together we will deliver culturally relevant arts programs that build trust with community members and encourage
access to mental health and wellness supports in a welcoming, low-barrier and meaningful way. »

– Katie HutchinsonExecutive Director, VIBE Arts

“Woodstock First Nation Health Center is thrilled to receive a grant from the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund to help establish an Indigenous youth outreach program – which will empower youth in our community and ensure equity in to better address Aboriginal health priorities. Bell Let’s Talk will help connect youth to their culture and community and increase access to culturally appropriate mental health and wellness services. While much more needs to be done, together, in partnership with Bell Let’s Talk, we are taking the first step towards creating positive change.”

– Amanda McIntoshHealth Director, Woodstock First Nation Health Center

Fast facts

• $1.1 million in new grants
• $4.45 million in grants since 2020
• 39 recipients of the Diversity Fund

To learn more about Diversity Fund recipients, please visit Bell.ca/Let’s Talk.

Bell Let’s Talk Day is January 25

At January 25 and every day throughout the year, we encourage Canadians to take meaningful action to create positive change for mental health. Everyone can play a role in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities. Here are some actions we can all take:

• VSchoose a mental health agency to inquire or support
• Hhelp a friend struggling with their mental health by learning how to support them
• Aask how your school, workplace or community is creating change for mental health
• NOTcultivate your own well-being by practicing and learning mental health strategies
• gand involved in a mental health initiative or organizing an event to support mental health
• Eengage in conversations about mental health to fight stigma

Visit Bell.ca/Let’s Talk for more ideas and share your actions using #BellLetsTalk for the cause and help inspire others to join the movement to create positive change for mental health.

About Bell Let’s Talk

Largest corporate commitment to mental health in CanadaBell Let’s Talk focuses on 4 key pillars of action – anti-stigma, care and access, research and workplace leadership – and is a driver of Bell for the best. Since its launch in 2010, Bell Let’s Talk has partnered with more than 1,400 organizations providing mental health services across Canada, including hospitals, universities, local community service providers and other organizations care and research. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/Let’s Talk.

Media inquiries:
Jacqueline Michelis
[email protected]
@Bell_Case for the cause
@Bell_News

THE SOURCE Bell Canada