For many years here on the MissionLog, I’ve spoken about the impact of mental illness on our homeless friends out on the street. So I’m pleased this year to be taking part in a social media event called Bell Let’s Talk Day this year on January 28. Since 2010 Bell has contributed $62.5 million dollars to mental health initiatives in Canada. A large part of that is generated through activities on Bell Let’s Talk Day.
Two-thirds of homeless people using urban shelters suffer from some form of mental illness. Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health
What happens on Bell Let’s Talk Day? We are encouraged to communicate openly in public, through social media like Twitter, Facebook and Google+ about mental health issues to end the stigma associated with mental illness. 1 in 5 Canadians will suffer some form of mental illness at some point in their lives, but it’s still something we don’t like to talk about. Getting the facts and talking openly is important in helping people find support and treatment for their illness. Further, we can’t have a discussion on the root causes of homelessness without addressing mental health.
Here are some of the posts on the MissionLog that address mental health issues:
What Do You Think is the Root Cause of Homelessness? (5 parts)
In one of my posts, I shared the following: “A recent study, by Heather Larkin of the University of Albany – shows the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences – ACE – and homelessness. From her study –
More than 85 percent of the homeless respondents reported having experienced at least one of 10 categories of adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Many (52.4 percent) had experienced more than four categories of traumatic events when growing up. … There is a high ACE prevalence among the homeless people in this study. Individuals with high ACE scores may be more vulnerable to economic downturns and cultural oppression, a person-environment interaction increasing the likelihood of homelessness. Service responses focused on identifying and addressing childhood traumas hold an opportunity for addressing ACEs before they contribute to homelessness.
By addressing mental health issues, we can take an important step in mitigating one of the major causes of homelessness. Here’s the bonus – by getting the word out on Bell Let’s Talk Day, you can help raise even more money.
So, on January 28, let’s talk.
Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives for every:
- Text message sent*
- Mobile and long distance call made*
- *By a Bell or Bell Aliant customer only
- Tweet using #BellLetsTalk
- Facebook share of our Bell Let’s Talk image
Join the team and if you tweet on Twitter using the #BellLetsTalk hashtag, let me know there @canayjun
You can also connect with the Twitter team by going to @Bell_LetsTalk and @Healthy_Minds
See you out there on January 28th!
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Andy
Filed under: Advocacy, BREAKING News, canada, charity, Culture, donate, family, health, homelessness, internet, Life, Mental Health, News, News Commentary, non-profit, People, Social Media, volunteer, youth | Tagged: canada, challenged, community, health, homeless, homelessness, illness, mental, ptsd, shelter, street, suicide, trauma | Comments Off on Bell Let’s Talk Day Supports Mental Health Initiatives
Coldest Night of the Year – Burlington – Fundraiser Walk for Homeless and Hungry
Many of you will remember walking with me to deliver meals to the homeless. Well here’s a chance to do more to combat homelessness and help those living in poverty right in Burlington. The Coldest Night of the Year is a fantastically fun, family-friendly walking fundraiser that raises money for the hungry, homeless and hurting in 80+ communities across Canada on Saturday, February 21st, 2015.
In Burlington the host organization is Burlington Open Doors located at St. Christopher’s on Guelph Line. All proceeds from the Burlington Coldest Night of the Year walk will go to support Open Doors programs.
About Burlington Open Doors:
Open Doors serves people living with poverty in Burlington. Your involvement in this walk impacts hundreds of lives in a positive way, helping build a bright future that once seemed out of reach.
By supporting Open Doors you will:
• Help provide over 34,000 nutritious meals a year to families in a social environment.
• Help clothe over 2000 people a year in our Free Clothing Store
• Support 2 after school programs that provide care for children ages 4 and up.
• Support 10 programs and one Network that help people connect with one another, building a stronger social network while providing needed goods and services.
• Provide opportunities and support for over 200 volunteer jobs.
• Support an organization that values and respects diversity.
• Help provide community based programming that targets social inclusion.
Mission Statement:
To provide a welcoming and accessible place for
the gathering together of individuals of diverse
income, education, age, ability and health that
adds an inclusive feeling of community to their
lives.
Background:
Participants in our programs over the last 10 years
have described Open Doors as a community hub.
Through programs and partnerships we provide a
meeting place that offers food, family support and
socialization for all members of the community
that choose to participate.
Here are just some of the Open Doors programs in Burlington:
1 Partnership Food Bank West @ Open Doors
2 Weekly Community Dinner
3 Seniors’ Lunch
4 Halton Fresh Food Box Distribution
5 Community Kitchen
6 Halton Meal Network
…more
So click here to go to the Coldest Night of the Year website to sign up, volunteer or donate.
cheers!
Andy
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Filed under: Advocacy, canada, charity, Christianity, church, donate, family, Food & Drink, help, homelessness, Life, News, News Commentary, non-profit, People, volunteer, youth | Tagged: #CNOY, burlington, canada, Coldest Night, food, food bank, fundraising, homeless, hungry, meals, ontario, poverty | Comments Off on Coldest Night of the Year – Burlington – Fundraiser Walk for Homeless and Hungry