(from left): Lena Demarco, regional director, Community Affairs for Bell; Kayla Lee, health promotion educator, Student Health Services; Les McCurdy-Myers, manager, Personal Counselling, Student Development Centre; Kim Meade, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Student Services; Melodie Shick-Porter, director, Student Health Services; Cooper Millard, President, Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU); Tracy Geoffroy, senior major gifts officer, Development And Donor Relations

Earlier this week, Brock University received a $25,000 grant from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund to support an online mental health training module for students at the University.

The online module will help to educate students about mental health issues, how to identify and address the early signs, and what services are available. The initiative will also help to reduce the stigma attached to mental health issues by engaging students and highlighting peer experiences.

“The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund is dedicated to improving access to mental health care in communities from coast to coast to coast,” said Mary Deacon, chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “This year, Brock University is one of more than 50 organizations we’re supporting as they provide much-needed help to people living with mental illness in the community while working to reduce the stigma surrounding this pervasive national health issue.”

The Brock initiative was developed in partnership with community services and agencies and will be available to residence dons, student health peers, teaching assistants and other student leaders.

Cooper Millard, President of the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU), and Kim Meade, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President of Student Services at Brock were on hand for the announcement and grant presentation.

“We are delighted to receive support from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund for our student mental health program. Entering university is one of the most significant life transitions for a student,” says Millard. “As mental health issues increase amongst our student population, we recognize the importance of providing the best access to services and reducing the obstacles to care that stigma causes.”

“Successful early detection of mental health concerns is vital as it can often prevent more serious issues from developing,” says Meade. “We’re committed to fostering a healthy campus for our students and these funds will help us to train more eyes and ears around Brock to be able to respond to students in need.”

Bell’s presentation coincided with Monday’s launch of Wellness Week (Nov. 25 to 29) at Brock, an initiative coordinated by BUSU, Recreation Services, Campus Ministries, Student Health Services and the Student Development Centre.

The Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative is a national charitable and awareness program promoting mental health across Canada with the Bell Let’s Talk Day anti-stigma campaign and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace initiatives.

To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk