Bell Let's Talk supports SAH's mental health care with a $10,000 grant

NEWS RELEASE
SAULT AREA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
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Sault Area Hospital Foundation is pleased to receive a $10,000 grant from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund to support the Safewards Program at Sault Area Hospital.

“Safewards is an evidence-based best practice model of care with over 20 years of research behind it. The goal of the program is to create safer and more peaceful environments for our patients, staff, visitors and families. Safewards encourages active communication so that patients are heard and understood in an environment of trust,” said Heather Hickey, director, Collaborative Practice and Mental Health and Addictions, Sault Area Hospital. 

“The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund grant will help provide additional training to our Mental Health and Addictions Program staff and purchase the items needed to support the delivery of this program.”

Safewards gives staff and caregivers a set of tools that help reduce conflict, develop relationships, and focus on helping the patient heal, in a safe and peaceful environment. The tools are also passed along to patients and their families, helping them foster new coping skills and successfully return home.

“Over the last 9 years, Bell Let’s Talk has encouraged open conversation about mental health. We are pleased to be able to partner with them on this initiative. Growing and expanding our services at Sault Area Hospital will help provide the level of care that every member of our community deserves,” said Teresa Martone, executive director, Sault Area Hospital Foundation.

“Bell Let’s Talk is pleased to help Sault Area Hospital expand mental health care for people in the Sault Ste. Marie region,” said Mary Deacon, chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “Having doubled the annual Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund to $2 million in 2018, we are supporting some 120 organizations across Canada, like Sault Area Hospital Foundation, that are making a difference for those affected by mental health issues and their families in their communities.”

Bell Let’s Talk Day is Jan. 30

The Bell Let’s Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let’s Talk Day, and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives.

Bell will donate 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for each of the following interactions on Jan. 30, at no extra cost to participants beyond what they would normally pay their service provider for online or phone access:

• Talk: Every mobile call and every long distance call made by Bell wireless and phone customers
• Text: Every text message sent by Bell wireless customers
• Twitter: Every tweet and retweet using #BellLetsTalk, featuring the special Bell Let’s Talk emoji, and Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at Twitter.com/Bell_LetsTalk
• Facebook: Every view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk and use of the Bell Let’s Talk frame
• Instagram: Every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at Instagram.com/bell_letstalk
• Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let’s Talk filter and video view

To learn more, click here.

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