Mental health advocacy on campus has been a passion project for Child and Youth Studies student Melissa Matthews since she began her studies at Trent University Durham GTA. As Director of First Year Students for the Trent Durham Student Association (TDSA) last year, Ms. Matthews was tasked with understanding what was needed in the community she and her peers were surrounded by. This is when she decided to create a week-long student-run campaign promoting mental wellness for students on campus and eliminating the stigma of mental illness. The week was met with an overwhelming amount of support, creating a platform for students to share their stories. Ms. Matthews was in awe of the students who gained their courage that week, and can hardly wait to see more students do so this year.

January 28 – February 1, 2019 marks the second year Bell Let’s Talk Week is being brought to the campus community by the TDSA. This year’s events are expected to be bigger than ever. The week has grown from last year when Ms. Matthews grabbed a handful of her friends to tirelessly pack stress-kits in her tiny dorm room, to this year welcoming Canadian sports journalist Michael Lansberg to speak, receiving countless community donations for the cause, and gathering incredible support from the campus community.  Watching the growth from last year to this year has left Ms. Matthews moved by the impact that this mental health initiative has had on students.

“In my eyes Bell Let's Talk Week represents progress and shows our students that mental wellness is a priority of Trent University Durham,” says Ms. Matthews. “By creating an open dialogue here on campus, we begin to diminish the negative stigma surrounding mental illness. Starting the conversation is always the first step”.

For a full schedule of events, including art therapy and raffle draws, visit the TDSA Bell Let's Talk Week event.