Sudbury organizations receive funding from Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund
Two organizations in Sudbury have received funding from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund. The money is a way to ensure people get the mental health support they need close to home during the pandemic.
As part of the Bell Let’s Talk initiative, the community fund has been providing up to $25,000 to charitable organizations across Canada that offer mental health services.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury/Manitoulin received $25,000 from the fund. The CMHA said because of the pandemic, there has been an increase in depression and isolation.
Patty MacDonald, CEO of the Sudbury/Manitoulin CMHA, said the money will go to staff training.
“Bell Let’s Talk is an amazing campaign, it’s all about talking about mental health and reaching out to your family, friends, neighbours, co-workers and this is just another opportunity to be able to do that,” said MacDonald.
“With the suicide and safe talk, it’s about saving lives, too. It’s talking to people who are feeling suicidal and having those thoughts, and reaching out before it becomes a crisis.”
The Sudbury Action Centre for Youth is another recipient. It received $20,000 and said the money will be used for weekly support groups.
“We run a youth group for trans and non-binary youth from across Ontario and we also run a support group for adults who identify as trans or non-binary from Ontario,” said Vincent Bolt, of the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth.
Bolt said the support groups have really reduced the isolation for trans community members during the pandemic.
“We have individuals who haven’t been out to see friends or family in almost two years and at least now we have this group that meets every week that they can connect with,” said Bolt.
“Doing things like baking and arts and crafts, doing our make-up, these are the kinds of things that help boost self confidence and help boost self-esteem and help you feel like you are engaged.”
The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund was launched in 2011, and since then $15 million has been handed out to various groups across Canada.
Applications for next year's Bell Let’s Talk Fund open Jan. 19. Bell Let’s Talk Day is on Jan. 26.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.