It’s Bell Let’s Talk Day: Keep listening

Now more than ever, people need mental health support.

The annual Bell Let’s Talk Day aims to both end the stigma surrounding mental illness and mental health struggles and raise funds for mental health research and support.

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, this year on Jan. 26, Bell donates five cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long distance call, every tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, every social media view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video, and every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat lens.

If you are suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, call 911 or go to the emergency department.

The Canada Suicide Prevention Service, 1-833-456-4566 or www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/, offers 24/7 bilingual support to people in Canada who have concerns about suicide.

If you are in distress, crisis, or are experiencing suicidal ideation, Distress and Crisis Ontario offers text support. Text SUPPORT to 258258. (Available from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Standard text messaging rates apply.)

If you have been a victim of crime or tragedy, Muskoka Victim Services can help. Call 1-844-762-9945, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m.

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Muskoka – Parry Sound provides mental health and addictions services to adults including crisis intervention, counselling, rehabilitiation, housing and recovery support.

Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) provides free, 24/7, anonymous counselling for kids, teens, and young adults.

ConnexOntario, 1-866 -531-2600 or www.connexontario.ca, offers free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental health and/or gambling. Available 24/7.

Find other mental health resources here and here.