Bell Let’s Talk Day: 3 Steps Toward Mental Health

Today is Bell Let’s Talk day. I encourage you to not only talk about mental health, but to take ACTION towards helping your mental health or the mental health of someone you love. Here are three simple suggestions that you can implement right away:

1. Pick up the phone and call someone. Don’t text . I want you to actually call someone! Remember when we used to talk to each other. We need more talking and less texting. To truly embody the “Let’s Talk” slogan, why don’t we do just that – talk to someone. It could be a person you pass by on the street by saying “Hello” and giving them a smile. It could be a co-worker or someone you are riding the elevator with. Or it could be a senior in your life who lives far away and would love to hear an update from you. Or maybe they reside in a care home and we appreciate a face to face visit from you…which brings me to point 2.
2. Since Bell is a communication company let’s foster face to face connection in our communication. To do this, invite a friend for a walk or out for tea. Or if it is connection with yourself (ie quiet time) that you crave because you are a busy mom with two little ones – see if you can organize a babysitter for an hour or two while you sneak away to a yoga class or a walk in nature. Whether you decide to connect with another or with your self – you will be glad you did!
3. Get off your phones and devices so you can get to bed on time. Sleep is one of the foundations of health that Dr. Chris talks about in her book: Beyond the Label: 10 Steps to Improve your Mental Health with Naturopathic Medicine. See if you can put your devices to sleep by 7pm so that you can get the sleep that you need. Many are sacrificing the quality and quantity of their sleep by scrolling mindlessly through Facebook or Instagram before bed. Believe me, you mind, body and spirit will appreciate the stillness, silence and restful sleep.

This morning, I organized a group of colleagues, mental health supporters and patients to come with me to the Canadian Mental Health Associations Distress Line breakfast.

If you are going through a mental health crisis calling a help line can be a life line. People are trained to talk to you in your darkest hour. They are there for you 24-7. Most are volunteers who know exactly how to listen effectively and ask the right questions. If you know someone who is really struggling, or see someone in public who is clearly not doing well, offering a Helpline number is actually helpful. You may not know what to say, but these people do. It is a small act that goes a long way.

Here are the numbers:

NWT # 1-800-661-0844
BC 1 800 784 2433
Kids helpline 1 800 668 6868
Alberta 403 266 4357
Saskatchewan 306 933 6200
Manitoba 1 855 942 6568
Ontario 1 866 996 0991
Quebec 1 866 277 3553
Newfoundland 1800 737 4668
New Brunswick 1800 667 5005
Nova Scotia 1 888 429 8167
PEI 1 800 218 2885

I also encourage everyone to have a Naturopathic Doctor on your health care team. Since Dr. Chris has a wait list, she has created a course which is a support tool to have in your tool kit as well. More information can be found here: https://drchristinabjorndal.com/coaching/

Leave a comment below and let us know which of the three action steps you decided to take in support of Bell Let’s Talk day!