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Let's all do our part to prioritize youth mental health in Canada.
(Updated for 2025)
Since 2010, Bell Let’s Talk has partnered with more than 1,500 organizations who have supported 6,956,297 Canadians with access to mental health services.
This year, Bell is placing special focus on youth mental health. It's staggering that approximately 1.25 million youth in Canada need mental health supports every year. But by partnering with organizations like Kids Help Phone, Youth in Mind, Strongest Families Institute, and many more, Bell is helping to change the conversation and getting kids the assistance they need.
We invite you to participate in this year's Bell Let's Talk Day on January 22nd. A first for Bell Let’s Talk, Canadians are encouraged to text "YOUTH” to 45678 to donate $5. Bell will match all $5 donations up to a total of $1 million.
Due to growing concerns about youth mental health in Canada, Bell Let's Talk partnered with Mental Health Research Canada to create a national report titled A Generation at Risk: The State of Youth Mental Health in Canada. Released in October 2024, the report reveals critical findings about the troubling mental health situation among young Canadians. Key issues from the report are:
- Suicide is a leading cause of death: Suicide is a top cause of death for Canadian youth, making up 21% of fatalities, with 24% of those aged 16-24 experiencing suicidal thoughts.
- Priority youth populations: 2SLGBTQ+, newcomer, Black, and Indigenous youth face higher mental health challenges and barriers to care.
- Early onset of mental health conditions: About 66% to 75% of mental health issues begin before age 24, making youth a vulnerable group.
- Self-stigma: Young people are generally open about mental health topics but struggle to discuss their own conditions.
- Contributing factors: Youth mental health issues rose before the pandemic and worsened due to social disconnection, excessive screen time (over 6 hours daily), and socio-economic challenges.
On Bell Let's Talk Day, help create lasting change.
- Choose a mental health organization to learn about or support
- Help a friend struggling with their mental health by learning how to support them
- Ask about how your school, workplace or community is creating change for mental health
- Nurture your own well-being by practicing and learning mental health strategies
- Get involved in a mental health initiative or organize an event to support mental health
- Engage in conversations about mental health to fight stigma
- Text "YOUTH” to 45678 to donate $5
Since its beginning this program has had a tremendous impact.
