Red Cross mental health program expansion thanks to Bell Let's Talk Day funding
Some of the funds raised through Bell Let's Talk Day will go toward expanding a Red Cross mental health program in western Canada, particularly in Indigenous communities.
The Friendly Calls program pairs a caller with someone to talk to, whether they need to be connected to mental health resources or just a sympathetic ear.
"There's a lot of isolation that's happening these days, and a lot of loneliness," said Shelley Cardinal, national director of Indigenous relations for the Canadian Red Cross.
The Red Cross said the program has been in high demand during the pandemic, with many Indigenous communities requesting it in their area.
"People are asking for somebody that they can talk to when they're having a day of struggles. Someone that they can talk to when they're feeling isolated that day, someone that they can talk to when they need an ear for the story at hand," said Cardinal.
The Friendly Calls program has been active for five years, but Cardinal says it was more active in central and eastern Canada. The new funding from Bell Let's Talk Day will allow the Red Cross to expand the program in western Canada.
The goal of the Friendly Calls program is to provide a spectrum of mental health support in real time to people in western Canada.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Kerry McAthey
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.