Millions of people, including Self Advocates with disabilities, go through difficult times during the year. These challenges may include addiction, grief, money worries, unsafe situations, or concerns about housing. Some people are survivors of abuse. Others may be experiencing homelessness.
We all need to be aware of the people around us and support one another when we can. Many people with mental health challenges also face stigma, which can make it harder to ask for help or feel accepted.
Every person deserves to be cared for and valued. Everyone deserves hope, respect, and a sense of belonging. By listening, showing kindness, and offering support, we can help create stronger and more caring communities. Sometimes, simply being there to listen can make a real difference.
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. You are not alone.
What Is Bell Let’s Talk Day?
Bell Let’s Talk Day is a mental health awareness day held each year in Canada, usually in January. The purpose of this day is to encourage people to talk openly about mental health and to help reduce stigma.
On Bell Let’s Talk Day, individuals, organizations, schools, and workplaces are encouraged to start conversations about mental health, share messages of support, and remind others that they are not alone. Talking openly can help people feel understood and supported.
Bell, a Canadian company, also provides funding to mental health programs, services, research, and community initiatives across Canada as part of the Bell Let’s Talk campaign.
Bell Let’s Talk Day is about:
Reducing stigma around mental health
Encouraging open and respectful conversations
Promoting understanding, hope, and belonging
Supporting people to seek help when they need it
Mental health affects everyone, including Self Advocates and people with disabilities. By listening, learning, and supporting one another, we can help create more caring and inclusive communities.
The Theme of this years Bell Talk Day
The theme is taking a moment for mental health. Canadians will be encouraged to prioritize mental health and give mental health the moment it deserves:
- Moments to take care of and be in tune with your own mental health
- Moments to reach out to those around you, caring for their mental health
- Moments to recognize the societal importance of mental health, which can take many forms – from flag raisings, school assemblies, sharing personal stories, to learning and listening
The data about Mental Health and Disability in
data indicates a significant global and regional burden of mental health conditions as leading causes of disability. The following sections detail current prevalence, economic impacts, and workplace trends.
- Total Prevalence: More than 1 billion people worldwide (roughly 1 in 8) are living with a mental health disorder as of late 2025.
- Leading Causes: Anxiety and depression remain the primary mental health conditions causing long-term disability globally.
- Disability Burden: Mental health conditions are the second leading reason for long-term disability worldwide.
- Life Expectancy: Persons with significant disabilities—including those stemming from mental health—may die up to 20 years earlier than those without.
- Canada:
- One in five Canadians experiences a mental illness in any given year.
- Mental health-related disability affects approximately 10.4% of Canadians aged 15 and over.
- By age 40, one in two Canadians will have experienced a mental illness.
- United States:
- Approximately 26% of U.S. adults (1 in 4) suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder annually.
- Anxiety disorders are the most reported, affecting over 42.5 million Americans.
- Youth and Young Adults:
- One in seven adolescents (ages 10–19) globally experiences a mental disorder.
- In the U.S., nearly 46% of Gen Z adults have received a formal mental health diagnosis.
- Unmet needs for mental health care are highest among young adults (18–34) at 52%.
- Disability Claims: In 2025 and 2026, mental health claims represent the largest source of new disability claims at 35%, and they account for 70% of total disability costs.
- Workplace Absence: In Canada, nearly 500,000 employed individuals miss work each week due to mental health issues.
- Economic Cost: The annual economic burden of mental illness in Canada is projected to reach over $79.9 billion in the coming years. In the U.S., serious mental illness costs over $190 billion in lost earnings annually.
- Unmet Need: Globally, only about 13.9% of individuals with anxiety, mood, or substance use disorders received treatment in the past year.
- Barrier to Access: The primary obstacles to receiving care are cost (52%) and difficulty finding a provider (42%).
- Service Availability: There is a critical global shortage of mental health workers, with a median of only 13 workers per 100,000 people.
Bell Talk website
Bell Lets Talk Conversation Guide
Tool to Start a one on one Conversation About Many of challenges of Mental Health
