Bell Let’s Talk: CMHA Wood Buffalo offers mental health presentations for residents

Today is the 11th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day, and the region’s Canadian Mental Health Association is offering virtual presentations to residents to help create positive change.

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell donates five cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long-distance call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk to encourage people to participate in the world’s biggest conversation about mental health. 

“We’re joining in to help drive the progress in mental health,” CMHA Wood Buffalo stated in a news release. “Together, we have taken big steps to reduce the stigma around mental health issues and inspire one another to take action and help create a Canada where everyone can access the mental health support they need.”

CMHA WB’s team shares positive mental health messages to encourage others to join the conversation

According to a recent study, 83 percent of Canadians now say they are more comfortable speaking with others about mental health, compared to only 42 percent in 2012. The Association further stated, “by joining in and taking action, we are all helping to make a real difference.”

 The CMHA Wood Buffalo’s Bell Let’s Talk Video Presentations

CMHA Wood Buffalo traditionally recognizes the day by facilitating school and workplace presentations throughout the region. And though it’s not possible to meet in-person during this time, they have created virtual presentations to help children, youth and adults at home.

The four presentations available are geared towards specific topics and age groups to help support emotional resiliency. (Click the links to watch the presentations.)

Presentation: Stress & Self Regulation – Ages 5 to 8 years old

Presentation: Anxiety & Self Regulation – Ages 9 to 12 years old

Presentation: Anxiety & Grounding Techniques – Ages 13 to 18 years old

Presentation: Regulating Our Emotions – Adults 

To find more mental health resources available, go to the CMHA Wood Buffalo website. Residents can also download the Bell Let’s Talk toolkit to begin the conversation about mental health at home, school or within the workplace.

About the author

Dawn Booth

Editor-in-Chief at YMM Parent | dawn@balsom.ca

Dawn Booth is the Editor-in-Chief of YMM Parent Magazine and Your McMurray Magazine. She has actively worked in the Wood Buffalo region's media industry since residing in Fort McMurray in 2007.

Her passion is writing poetry and puts it at the forefront of the community through her volunteer work as the President of NorthWord Magazine. Most important, Booth puts her family of five first, which includes her husband Ryan and their three children, Landon, Dawson and Tessa.