Staff and students at Portage College locations across northeast Alberta wrapped up a week-long Bell Let’s Talk Campus Campaign last Friday, raising awareness for mental health, and funds for local friendship centres. 

Portage College joined more than 200 universities and colleges across Canada for this year’s Bell Let’s Talk Campus Campaign.

The nation-wide Bell Let’s Talk Day was January 22. Portage College locations across northeastern Alberta took part in the campaign through a week-long awareness event, with the St. Paul and Lac La Biche campus locations hosting lunch-hour information booths on January 22.

Campaigns help friendship centres

This year, with the help of campaigns like the ones held at Portage College locations, Bell Canada contributed $1.6 million to help organizations provide mental health resources with a focus on Canada’s youth. The new funds are part of a $10 million commitment the telecommunications company has made to mental health initiatives in 2025. Part of that commitment includes funding for the National Association of Friendship Centres. The association represents more than 100 friendship centres in communities across Canada, including Cold Lake, Lac La Biche, St. Paul, Bonnyville and Athabasca.

“The whole week leading up to Bell Let’s Talk Day is promoting positive mental health awareness at Portage College,” says Debbie Jansen, a Mental Health Navigator at the Lac La Biche campus. She is one of the Portage College’s Counselling department staff offering information to students and staff during the campaign.

Frances Stewart and Debbie Jansen with Portage College counselling at the Bell Let's Talk booth with a student.

During the lunch-hour sessions, students and staff were encouraged to write down positive comments on posters to be displayed on campus walls. The messages help to bring people together, says Jansen.

“I think in the college setting specifically, for the students it can help them be more aware of what they can do for mental health, with just a thought or words to help with their own mental health and the mental health of others,” she said, adding that students and staff can take those messages to their families and into their communities to create more awareness. “We highlight it this week, but it’s something that needs to be carried every day.”

 Fill your bucket

Shailey Cadieux, a counsellor at Portage College, says the awareness campaign and the information booths offer students and staff a chance to stop, reflect and perhaps ask questions about mental health.

“It’s important to stop and ask what we are doing to support our own mental health, and the mental health of others,” said Cadieux, using the popular metaphor comparing mental well-being to a bucket that can be filled with positive experiences. “Sometimes, especially within a post-secondary or an institution setting, things get busy, and we don’t take time to fill our buckets.”

Bell Let’s Talk promotional items like stress balls, toques and towels were also available at the college booths. Students and staff were also encouraged to take information material and follow digital links for more details on mental health awareness.

The Bell Let’s Talk campaign has been running since 2010, raising awareness and about $184 million in funding for mental health initiatives across Canada. 

Mental health resources

For more information on mental health awareness at Portage College, or for personal assistance, contact the Portage College Counselling department. In-person or remote, confidential appointments can be made through all Portage College campus locations by calling 780-623-5551, or by linking directly to an online intake form at the Portage College Counselling department web pages.

Media Inquiries:

Portage College Corporate Communications Department
780-623-6671 or email: pr@portagecollege.ca

Lakeland-area Friendship Centre contact details:

Mannawanis Native Friendship Centre Society - St. Paul - 780 645-4630
Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre - 780 623-3249
Cold Lake Native Friendship Centre Society - 780 594-7526
Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre - 780 826-3374
Athabasca Native Friendship Centre - 780 675-3086