A locally-inspired social media campaign for mental health awareness was a huge success.
Bruce Power and its partners launched the #BreakTheSilence campaign during Mental Health Awareness Week.
By sharing the 'hashtag BreakTheSilence' thousands of times on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, people from across Ontario showed their support for people who live with mental health issues by starting the conversation with their friends and family. Local mayors, First Nations Chiefs and health care professionals also played an important role in spreading the message.
The number of shares is believed to have exceeded 10,000.
In turn, Bruce Power donated $80,000 to local mental health initiatives that will support community members who live with mental illnesses.
The recipients include: $25,000 to the Westover Treatment Centre’s Recovery Support Program, which helps people overcome addiction and other issues; $23,000 to the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Grey Bruce branch for its Friends and Neighbours Club, Men’s Group and Ride Don’t Hide event; $11,000 to the We CARE Share event; $10,000 to both the Saugeen First Nation and Nawash Unceded First Nation for community mental health initiatives; $1,000 to the Alzheimer Society of Grey Bruce.
"The thousands of interactions we saw online were overwhelmingly positive and drove home the fact that everybody is touched by mental illness at some point in their lives", stated Cathy Sprague, Bruce Power’s Executive Vice President, Human Resources. "We need to continue breaking down barriers to community members who need to reach out for assistance in their time of need."
Bruce Power donated $11,000 to the We CARE Share Project as part of the #BreakTheSilence campaign. Receiving the cheque from Christine John (left), Communications Specialist, Bruce Power, is Michelle Scobie, Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services; Yolanda Cameron , Wes for Youth Online; Ann-Marie Deas, Bruce Grey Catholic School Board; Jackie Ralph, CMHA Grey Bruce; and Andrew Drake, Choices Drug and Alcohol Counseling for Youth. (Bruce Power photo)