Bell Archives - Angela McLean

#BellLetsTalk in 2018

January 31, 2018 No Comments

This post was originally written as a Facebook status. I believe the message is important to share here on my blog as well.

It’s 2018. It’s almost the end of January, but in case you haven’t heard it yet happy new year. Now, don’t let this be the year you don’t take the opportunity(ies) to educate yourself…to be compassionate…to hear…to LISTEN…to be a support…to ask for support, if needed…to be human.

It’s 2018. More important to this very moment, today’s #BellLetsTalk day. You don’t need a corporation to tell you to look out and be there for your fellow people, and yourself. Just do it – today and every day. Everyone needs a saviour sometimes; life ain’t always easy. But it’s worth it. You’re worth it. Don’t let your demons define you. Don’t give them that power.

Finding it too hard to resist them today? That’s OK. You’re OK and you will be OK, believe that. I’m here. (I seriously am – if anyone reading this needs to talk/vent/anything, never hesitate to message me.) Remind yourself you have the power in you to brighten even the deepest darkness.

Of course, it takes most people more than a day to open the doors to conversation or healing, but this is a good place to start. Use the hashtag #BellLetsTalk, watch the video (shared on Bell Let’s Talk‘s Facebook page), check in with your friends, family and yourself (texts and calls across the Bell network count as financial contributions!), be an open ear to those who trust you with their stories and, if you’re ready, talk about what YOU need to feel more whole again. You’ve got this.

This is your year.

(Header photo courtesy of TSN/Bell Media)

Let’s Talk

January 27, 2016 No Comments

I’m tired. It’s 12:30 a.m. as I’m typing the first version of this (surely the first of many.) The funny thing is, if that were the real reason I were so tired, I would feel a lot better because I wouldn’t need to be saying half of the things I’m about to say.

I’m tired of the negative stigmas surrounding mental health. It’s tiring; how there’s such a major difference between not being able to go out because you have the flu and because you’re having a panic attack.

Anyone who knows me well knows how seriously I take these discussions surrounding mental health. That’s because mental illnesses are real – too real – and are constantly affecting those around us; I’m talking about your best friend, who is all too well aware of her body and others’ reactions to it, and your co-worker, who is always leaving the room unannounced as that’s the only way they can contain their ticking time bomb. Take it easy on those people, please. Even today, it remains difficult to talk about mental health as it’s such a sensitive topic that people feel will subject them to ridicule and embarrassment. It’s like trying to have an open conversation when everyone’s holding closed books. Sometimes the only person you can trust is yourself.

You – please don’t forget to take care of yourself, too. If you feel like no one cares, because I know sometimes (often times) it can seem that way, I assure you that I care and I am rooting for you. You are so brave and you CAN get through this and everything you are going through. Believe me. There is light on the other side and you’re closer to it than you think.

Today, January 27, for ‪#‎BellLetsTalk‬ Day, I post this as a reminder to everyone that you are never alone, no matter how small you may feel in the moment, and that it’s time for us to open our books and our hearts. If you’re reading this, I want you to reach out to someone today and remind them that they’re so, so loved. I don’t think we get reminded of that enough. You can only tell so much about a person from the way they present themselves and there will always be so much that we don’t know, even about the people closest to us. So, before you judge a person or any part of their situation, keep that in mind. We are all fighting some type of battle. Despite the popular belief, mental illness is not something that just “goes away,” and it’s not something that can be shoved under a rug and ignored. Not anymore.

Tweet using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk, and if you’re with Bell, send texts and make mobile/long distance calls to your distant cousins for once. While you’re at it, ask them how they’re doing.

I wholeheartedly support initiatives like #BellLetsTalk Day but I know what’s of central importance is keeping the conversation going.

So, let’s talk – not just today, but every day.

Lovelovelove