Canadians opened up the dialogue on mental health Wednesday, contributing more than 122 million tweets, texts, calls and social media shares on Bell Let's Talk Day.
A record 122,150,772 tweets, texts, calls and shares were made Wednesday, helping to raise more than $6.1 million for mental health initiatives.
The hashtag #BellLetsTalk was a number one trend on Twitter in Canada, and worldwide, with a total of 4,775,708 tweets made. This was 58.3 per cent more than last year.
On Bell Let's Talk Day, Bell donates 5 cents for each tweet and social media share made using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk. Bell also makes a donation for each call and text made by Bell Canada and Bell Aliant customers.
This year's campaign was headed by Canadian Olympian Clara Hughes. Others joining the team included comedians Howie Mandel and Mary Walsh, and sports journalist Michael Landsberg.
Hughes offered a big thanks to everyone who took part in the day.
"Wow! Thank you everyone, everywhere! I am just in awe at your incredible support for the people in our lives and all around us who struggle with mental illness," she said in a statement. "You're part of the growing conversation that will ultimately free Canada from the stigma that surrounds mental illness."
George Cope, president and CEO of Bell Canada and BEC, said the level of engagement in this year's campaign was "remarkable."
"As the top Twitter trend on the planet, with messages of support and hope from people around the globe, and the endorsement of international leaders and celebrities, this year's Bell Let's Talk Day really showed that there is universal desire for action in mental health," he said in a statement. "Once again, Canada leads the way."
Since Bell launched the campaign in 2010, the company has donated more than $73 million to Canadian mental health initiatives. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness and ending stigma surrounding mental health issues.
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