Bell Lets Talk 2013

Yesterday was Bell Lets Talk Day.

Bell is one of Canada’s largest media companies owning home phone, cell phone, internet, television stations and television connection. Bell is everywhere.

Three years ago, Bell decided to take on mental health and started Bell Lets Talk to raise awareness and money for mental health initiatives across Canada.

I am not a fan of Bell Lets Talk because I feel that although it means well it is still a campaign that pushes the dominant ideology that still produces stigma and discrimination but since I want money to go into mental health and because what I have to say is important I tweeted up a storm!

There is a #strong #mentalhealth #blogging community! #Ourlives in#ourwords! Its #beautiful and #empowering! #BellLetsTalk

@youngonesorg is #consumersurvivor run and does great work with#youth in #Toronto! Contact them for #support or #donate! #BellLetsTalk

#TheMadvocates #educate about #sanism, #criticalmentalhealth and what it means to be #madpositive! #BellLetsTalk

#Stigma is #discrimination! That’s #illegal! #BellLetsTalk #sanism#humanrights

“Love” it when attempts to eliminate #stigma actually create stigma!#BellLetsTalk

Best examples of #stigma and #discrimination can be found in the#professions set out to #help those with #mentalillness. #BellLetsTalk

There is more than the #medicalmodel! Eliminate #stigma and#discrimination by exploring #alternative #treatments and #views!#BellLetsTalk

I guess in honour of #BellLetsTalk I can say what’s been bothering me for two weeks. I feel like I’m not allowed to fall apart. I’m tired.

Wondering how to talk to my 6-12 year olds about #BellLetsTalk. Hmmmm…past #discrimination is an influence, sadly.

It’s #stigma and #discrimination when people without a #mentalillness tell me my view of mental illness is #wrong. #BellLetsTalk

I have #MadPride! #BellLetsTalk

Dare I bring up #treatment #cost? How much have some of you had to pay for #therapy, #medication etc? #BellLetsTalk

I either have the #right to be #sick or the right to #bemyself!#StopMentalIllnessDiscrimination #BellLetsTalk

There are others that talk #mentalhealth EVERYDAY!! #DontStopTalking!#BellLetsTalk #LetsTalk

Final tweet for #BellLetsTalk. I will fight #stigma and #discrimination by being my #amazing #BPD self and never being silent!

I raised a total of: 85 cents

All my hard work and effort only raised 85 cents (I excluded an information tweet on Bell Lets Talk and I also shared the Facebook picture).

Of course, this is why it’s all across Canada because at 5 cents a tweet, text, LD call and FB picture share 1 person cannot make a helpful dent in terms of raising money.

The last count available (we’re still waiting for the final total) was:

That amounts to $3 million (I rounded up)!

When I have the final numbers I’ll post again!

DO NOT STOP TALKING THOUGH! Bell Lets Talk may be over but mental health discrimination is not! Keep the conversation going all year because that’s how long I have my problems! All damn year! So, don’t be silent!