Regimental Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Eric LeClair and Lieutenant-Colonel David Cronk raise the Bell Let’s Talk flag at the main gate of CFB Shilo on Jan. 20 to raise awareness of the stigma surrounding mental health. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

Civilian employees and Canadian Armed Forces members continued the conversation in the first CFB Shilo town hall for Bell Let’s Talk Day on Jan. 20.

While officially recognized on Jan. 22 across the nation, Bell Let’s Talk is a year-round initiative focused on engaging Canadians to take action to create positive change in mental health.

CFB Shilo attendees sat up to listen about the issues surrounding the battle against the stigma of mental health issues in the CAF and daily life while stakeholders presented resources available for assistance.

Major Steven Sloat, Officer in Charge of Base Personnel Services and organizer of the Base event, said the whole point of Bell Let’s Talk is to keep the conversation going and to reduce the stigma of mental health issues.

“We need to make sure people aren’t afraid to seek help when needed. I do encourage everyone to bring that message home -bring it back to your workplace and spread that message.”

The meeting focused on mental health initiatives within the military community. Base Commander Lieutenant-Colonel David Cronk highlighted the importance of reducing stigma and promoting mental health resources.

LCol Cronk said it is the first time the town hall presentation format at Shilo has been used on base to discuss mental health issues within the CAF.

He felt it essential to focus on the internal mental health services that members can be supported by, with the many agencies focused on the military and first responders.

LCol Cronk said a telling moment for him was when two senior generals he worked closely with disclosed their mental health status and advocated for openness and services to support members.

“So whether you’re a general or a private or a corporal, [it’s important] you are comfortable addressing mental health, and that if you’re a supervisor, that you have the tools and resources available to direct folks, should they be having some issues.”

Padre Mickey Miles discussed the spiritual health continuum, emphasizing the impact of mental and spiritual struggles on overall well-being.

Ryan Blackman, family counsellor from the Military Family Resource Centre, detailed counselling and deployment services, including emergency child care and veteran support. The speaker from Health Services explained mental health support, rights, and career implications.

Representatives from the Transition Center discussed services for ill and injured members, including medical release support. Police from Project Resilience 911 stressed the need for early intervention and peer support for first responders and military personnel.

The panel emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues and utilizing available resources. The discussion focused on mental health support and reintegration strategies in various work environments.

Also emphasized was the significance of providing care and support, regardless of the nature of the issue. Health Promotions highlighted a mental fitness and suicide awareness course on Jan. 28.

The impact of leadership on mental health was also discussed, noting improvements since COVID 19.

The need for generational sensitivity in communication and support was stressed. Back-to-work programs were praised for integrating peer support.

The forum concluded with a consensus on the need for open conversations and leadership influence to reduce stigma and improve mental health awareness.

Bell’s website states it is dedicated to moving mental health forward in Canada. Bell Let’s Talk promotes awareness, acceptance and action with a strategy built on four key pillars:
“Anti-Stigma
One of the biggest hurdles for anyone struggling with mental illness is overcoming the stigma attached to it. Talking is an essential first step towards lasting change, the website states.

“The annual Bell Let’s Talk Day and awareness campaign has become the world’s largest conversation about mental health, encouraging Canadians and people around the world to talk and take action to help reduce stigma and promote awareness and understanding so everyone can get the help they need.”

“In 2012, Bell established the world’s first Anti-Stigma Research Chair at Queen’s University to continue to advance anti-stigma research, scholarship, and outreach programs.

Since 2011, just less than 1.5 million messages of support have been shared on Bell Let’s Talk Day, with $155 Million set as the funding goal for Canadian mental health initiatives by 2025.

Care & Access
Bell funds organizations large and small throughout Canada, including grassroots agencies, hospitals and post-secondary institutions, to provide Canadians with mental health support and services.

“Through the Bell Let’s Talk Funds, partnerships and major gifts, Bell has supported organizations in every province and territory in Canada, enabling them to improve access to mental health supports and services in communities nationwide.”

More than 1,100 grants have been given through the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund since 2011 to increase access to mental health care and services in local communities.

By 2020, more than $5 million to help address the urgent need for increased mental health services and remote tools as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Workplace Leadership
One in three workplace disability claims in Canada are related to mental illnesses, according to Bell.

“Bell is committed to leading by example in our own workplace by adopting the voluntary National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace and is encouraging greater corporate engagement across Canada.”

Bell’s initiatives to improve mental health awareness, training, and benefits have reduced short-term disability claims related to mental health by over 30 per cent and reduced relapse and recurrence by more than 50 per cent.
Research
“Research holds the greatest promise to better understand treatments and solutions. Bell is investing in best-in-class research programs with the potential to have a transformative impact on the mental health and well-being of Canadians,” its website reads.

“Bell Let’s Talk has funded research projects across the country, including $3 million to fund the world’s first university chair in mental health and anti-stigma research at Queen’s University and $1 million to fund Canada’s first biobank of biological, social and psychological data at L’Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal.

In 2021, Bell announced $2 million to establish the Bell Let’s Talk-Brain Canada Mental Health Research Program with Brain Canada, leveraging matched funding from the federal government through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF) for a total of $4 million.