Bruce Power's Break the Silence campaign nets $76,000 for local mental health initiatives

Members of the community came through in a huge way for local mental health initiatives during the third annual Break the Silence social media campaign.

By sharing the hashtag #BreakTheSilence thousands of times on Twitter and Facebook, people from across Canada showed their support for people who live with mental health issues by starting the conversation with their friends and family.

Supporters included:
 

• Ontario energy minister Glenn Thibeault
• Ontario infrastructure minister Bob Chiarelli
• Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker
• Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson
• York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney
• Ontario natural resources minister Jim Carr
• Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb
• Oakville MP John Oliver
• Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd

In turn, Bruce Power donated $76,000 to local mental health initiatives that will support community members who live with mental illnesses.

The recipients include:
 

• $40,000 to the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Grey Bruce branch for its Friends and Neighbours Club, Men’s Group, Ride Don’t Hide event, and other community programs
• $25,000 to the Westover Treatment Centre’s Recovery Support Program, which helps people overcome addiction and other issues
• $11,000 to the We CARE Share event

“Once again, it is our hope that people will break the silence about mental illness every day,” said Cathy Sprague, Bruce Power’s executive vice-president, human resources. “Our social media campaign is just one day, but we really hope people begin to open up about mental illness each and every day.”

The social media awareness campaign saw an estimated 3,621 tweets sent with the #BreakTheSilence hashtag, 7,679 likes and shares on the Break the Silence video on Bruce Power’s Facebook page, and 1,379 views and likes on the Break the Silence video on Bruce Power’s Instagram account.



Chris Mercanti (right) of Bruce Power, presents $76,000 to local mental health initiatives, following the company's Break the Silence social media campaign; from left, are Claude Anderson, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association; Teresa Pearson, program manager, social recreation and leisure, garden program; Joachim Ostertag, Men’s Program; and April Johnson, fund-raising and event co-ordinator; photo courtesy of Bruce Power