Clara Hughes and Michel Mpambara visit mental health program supported by Bell True Patriot Love Fund at Ste. Anne's Hospital

MONTRÉAL, Jan. 19, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Ste. Anne's Hospital Foundation today welcomed Bell Let's Talk spokespersons Clara Hughes and Michel Mpambara as they visited with veterans at Ste. Anne's Hospital in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, the third stop in a cross-Canada tour by Clara and members of the Bell Let's Talk team leading up to Bell Let's Talk Day on January 25.

"I was thrilled to meet today with men and women who have served Canada and hear about their experiences and their paths to recovery," said Clara. "Their camaraderie and openness with Michel and me were really inspiring, as was the impressive support they're receiving from the staff, the volunteers and the Foundation at Ste. Anne's."

While at the hospital, Clara and Michel met with veterans, serving members and their families taking part in a yoga and mindfulness session. Launched in January 2016 with a $25,000 grant from the Bell True Patriot Love Fund, the yoga and mindfulness meditation program is offered in conjunction with traditional approaches like psychotherapy. As well as boosting therapeutic effectiveness, it provides substantial support to patients suffering from operational stress injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues.

"Since my diagnosis, yoga has been a key part of my approach to living with bipolar disorder," said actor-comedian Michel Mpambara, a Bell Let's Talk spokesperson since 2012. "I'm extremely proud to see how Bell Let's Talk is making local programs like this possible and was honoured today to join with these incredible men and women in their yoga class."

"All the energy we put into the Foundation serves a single objective: to improve the well-being of our Canadian veterans," explained Andrée-Anne Desforges, Executive Director, Ste. Anne's Hospital Foundation. "When we receive the support of major organizations such as Bell Let's Talk and the True Patriot Love Foundation, we are even more motivated to maintain our efforts. This support also shows that the initiatives we develop and finance deserve to be widely known and especially, deserve the support of all Canadians. Because of Canadian soldiers, we have the good fortune to live in safety, in a free country."

The Bell True Patriot Love Fund
Launched in 2013 by Bell Let's Talk and the True Patriot Love Foundation, the Bell True Patriot Love Fund has so far distributed $1 million in grants to 61 mental health programs delivered through Military Family Resource Centres and other groups in communities around Canada. In November 2016, Bell Let's Talk and the Foundation renewed the partnership for a further 4 years and another $1 million, ensuring continued investment in programs that are making a real difference in the lives of military members, veterans and their families. 

Bell Let's Talk Day is January 25 
On January 25, Bell will donate 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for each of these interactions at no extra charge to participants:

• Every text message, mobile call and long distance call made by Bell Canada and Bell Aliant customers.
• Twitter: Every tweet using #BellLetsTalk
• Facebook: Every view of the Bell Let's Talk Day video at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk
• Instagram: Every post using #BellLetsTalk
• Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let's Talk Snapchat geofilter

With Bell Let's Talk Day 2016 setting new records with 125.9 million messages of support, Bell increased its funding for Canadian mental health by $6,295,764.75 last year. With its original anchor donation of $50 million and the results of the first 6 Bell Let's Talk Days, Bell's total funding commitment for mental health now stands at $79,919,178.55, and is expected to surpass $100 million in 2020.

Media inquiries:

Caroline Audet
(514) 391-9794
[email protected]
@Bell_Nouvelles

SOURCE Bell Canada