University of Guelph-Humber

The University of Guelph-Humber recently participated in the Bell Let’s Talk campaign, joining with more than 128 other universities and colleges across Canada to invite students, staff and instructors to be part of the world’s biggest mental health conversation.

Over several days, more than 274 members of the UofGH community signed a banner pledging to continue discussions around mental health, while 154 in a single day took time to fill out a bubble answering the question: What does mental health mean to you?

“This was the first year that the University of Guelph-Humber was formally part of the Bell Let’s Talk campaign,” said Leah Murdock, Department Head, Student Services.

“We saw a significant number of students, staff, and instructors take part in our activities which were aimed at raising funds and awareness for mental health. Our UofGH community shared some really powerful, positive and encouraging messages to help us be part of the conversation and break down the stigma.”

Inspiring discussion

Since launching in September 2010, Bell Let’s Talk has partnered with more than 900 organizations providing mental health services throughout Canada. The campaign has led to more than $100 million in donations to mental health initiatives.

UofGH’s event featured a selfie station and swag bags, while students from the Family & Community Social Services program set up a booth promoting mental health de-stressers, and students in Early Childhood Studies featured their own bubble submissions on the Resource Room door leading up to the event.

Those students who helped stage the event hoped that it would inspire their peers to talk honestly about mental health.

"I think that mental health is such an important aspect for everyone and it is just as important as your physical health,” said Jamie-Margarette Vergara, UofGH’s Intern, Communications and Public Relations and a fourth-year student in the Media Studies program.

“I’ve known so many people who have been afraid to tell someone about their anxiety or depression but events like Bell Let’s Talk lets everyone know that it is OK talk about mental health and that they are not alone with what they’re going through.”