Canadian Mental Health Association marks Earth Day with support from Bell Let's Talk

CMHA to receive proceeds from national Bell mobile phone recycling program

OTTAWA, April 22, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is pleased to announce a new way for Canadians to promote mental health while helping the environment - by recycling mobile phones, batteries and accessories through the Bell Blue Box program.

"CMHA is a proud partner of the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative and we're grateful for this commitment from Bell to support our anti-stigma and mental health education programs," said Peter Coleridge, National CEO, CMHA. "Bell continues to lead the way for corporate Canada with creative ways to invest in improving Canadians' understanding of mental health and mental illness."

CMHA has identified the elimination of stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental illness as one of its top priority areas. Most people who suffer won't seek help because of the fear and misunderstanding surrounding mental illness.

Net proceeds from phones recycled through the Bell Blue Box program will help fund CMHA's efforts. The more phones recycled through the Bell program, the greater the benefit to Canadians suffering from mental illness, a serious national health concern that will impact 1 in 5 Canadians directly and everyone in some way. Half a million Canadians miss work each day because of a mental health issue, and the overall impact on the national economy surpasses $51 billion each year.

"Bell Let's Talk is proud that Bell's green leadership can support the efforts of the CMHA. Tackling the stigma is the primary step in helping those who struggle get the treatment and support they need," said Mary Deacon, Chair of the Bell Let's Talk initiative. "We invite Canadians to help move mental health forward as they also help reduce the impact on the environment."

Part of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association's (CWTA) Recycle My Cell program, Bell Blue Box has been recognized by the Retail Council of Canada and Les Phénix de l'environnement. It was also a factor in Bell being named Canada's greenest company by Newsweek magazine in 2012. The program has recovered over 1.2 million phones since 2003, as well as 110 tonnes of batteries and accessories.

Used mobile phones from all manufacturers, accessories and batteries can be returned to Bell Stores and participating The Source locations.

Before returning a phone, please erase any personal information from your device, including text messages, images and videos, contacts and personal files.

To learn more about our Bell Blue Box program, please visit Bell.ca/BellBlueBox.

About the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is one of Canada's oldest not-for-profit organizations. With more than 10,000 staff and volunteers in hundreds of communities across Canada, CMHA provides vital services and support to well over half a million Canadians every year. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience and support recovery from mental illness. Learn more at: www.cmha.ca.

About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media. Bell is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more information, please visit Bell.ca.

The Bell Mental Health Initiative is a multi-year charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada via the Bell Let's Talk Day anti-stigma campaign and support for community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

SOURCE: Bell Canada