Red Wings Babcock Joins Canada's Bell Media Mental Health Awareness Campaign
By Edward Cardenas
SOUTHFIELD (CBS Detroit) - Canadian telecommunications company Bell Media has launched a campaign to benefit mental health initiatives.
The company is donating 5 cents per tweet Wednesday with the hashtag #BellLetsTalk, and for every Facebook share of the Bell Let's talk page to mental health initiatives in Canada.
In Canada, the campaign includes special programming on Bell's digital, radio and local TV platforms.
The special programming includes an interview Red Wings with head coach Mike Babcock on TSN, where he opened up about his personal experiences from those who suffered from mental illness.
Not only did he know two families who lost family members who suffered from mental illness, but he also has spoken with two players who were dealing with mental illness.
"When things happen right around you, sometimes it is calling you to get involved," Babcock said in his interview.
He stated that he spoke with the players about mental illness, and it made it easier for them "because they knew you understood ... as soon as they talk about it, it is therapeutic."
By helping those with mental illness, from friends and family to professional athletes, you are helping them achieve their potential, Babcock said.
"I believe your obligation to yourself in your life is to maximize your potential. To squeeze every ounce out of yourself you have, and share that with the world," he said. "Well you cant do that if things are eating away at you. That's not just mental illness, that's the facts."
TSN stated that in his hometown of Saskatoon he will hold an event to raise awareness and funds for mental health issues.
"Each year, as the Bell Let's Talk conversation continues to flourish, we further progress in reducing the stigma and growing Bell's funding of the care and access, research and workplace programs that are making a real and positive difference the lives of so many Canadians," said George Cope, President and CEO of Bell Canada and BCE, said in a release. "On Bell Let's Talk Day, please join in growing awareness and action in Canadian mental health."
Bell's campaign also focuses on five ways to "help end the stigma around mental illness."
- Language matters – pay attention to the words you use about mental illness
- Educate yourself – learn, know and talk more, understand the signs
- Be kind – small acts of kindness say a lot
- Listen and ask – sometimes it's best to just listen
- Talk about it – start a dialogue, break the silence
For Bell customers, the company will also donate 5 cents per text message sent and mobile and long distance call made.
Since 2010, the company stated it has committed $67.5 million to mental health initiatives.
