Megan Rafuse

Therapist turned CEO | Co-Founder, @theshiftcollab | Your therapist best friend👋

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

I’d love to open up this dialogue in the comment section below. Let me know your thoughts… 👇

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

We need to ensure that the companies leading the conversations are self-aware enough to acknowledge the real drivers around mental health care in Canada, which is more complex than a yearly conversation, donating to well-deserving causes and then receiving a nice tax break.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

So, in summary, it’s clear that I have mixed feelings about Bell Let’s Talk Day, and I think it’s because, in a country where we believe in quality health care for all, we still have a long way to go in ensuring mental health care is an equal part of that conversation.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

This year, the theme is Let’s Create Real Change, and when I first heard about it, I had high hopes.

Bell’s website has a series of activity suggestions under the acronym CHANGE for activities one can engage in to learn ways to support their mental wellness and seek support.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

While Bell has denied these claims, I’d love to see Bell take some accountability and put their money where their mouth is. Bell can’t reasonably ask Canadians to create real change when they themselves can’t look in the mirror.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

It’s clear that Bell had some work to do to clean up its own house and could learn a thing or two about mental health support in the workplace from the many organizations it has funded.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

3️⃣Finally, let’s look at what Bell’s employees have said about how they are treated in the workplace. 2017 reports show hundreds of Bell employees who shared their experiences of unreasonable sales targets, intense demands on employees, and poor workplace culture.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

If Bell wants to be responsible for creating real change, I would start by examining how they treat the most marginalized and vulnerable within our society.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

Did you know that Bell profits off provincial inmates as the exclusive telephone provider for jails in Ontario? Not only are inmates and their families saddled with extremely high costs to make a phone call, but that Bell profits off their need for connection to their families.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

2️⃣ Research tells us that mental illness can be mitigated by protective factors. These include living in healthy communities, having access to food, water, hygiene, and shelter, having support and connection, and the ability to have meaningful work and education opportunities.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

Missing from the dialogue is the wide range of diversity around mental illness, including Schizophrenia, personality disorders, BiPolar Disorder, PTSD and ADHD. The open conversations mustn’t only center around certain mental illnesses.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

👉What I found was missing, however, was how Bell itself is creating REAL change.

1️⃣ Historically, Bell Let’s Talk Day has focused on specific mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and OCD and offers resources if you or someone you love is feeling suicidal.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

Donations, raising awareness of mental health challenges within our communities, and examining stigma is always a good thing. I applaud Bell for their efforts here.

👀But let’s be honest: @Bell Let’s Talk Day is largely a PR move!

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

Let’s talk about Bell Let’s Talk ☕
Here’s the facts - it’s a campaign that has garnered awareness and funding for over 1,500 organizations, including Kids Help Phone, and 988: Suicide Crisis Helpline, allowing them to offer free mental health support and resources across Canada.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

That being said, if you are feeling these long dark days, don't judge yourself for falling prey to the marketing strategy Dr. Arnall supported. Sunshine and self-care time is never a bad thing. Just be sure you're not using a vacation to escape what you actually need to address!

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

Here's why Blue Monday can actually benefit us.

It's a great time to open a dialogue with those you care about, not only to check in on them but also to plan some social time which we know can help mitigate the impacts of seasonal depression.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

Today is a great time to consider what support you need regarding your finances and whether or not there are new systems that might set you up for success. Hint: therapy can help with understanding your money scripts!

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

Well, Dr. Arnall later admitted that he was getting paid to spout these pseudoscientific reasons, by a tourist company! Cue those who just booked trips abroad....

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

Blue Monday was first coined by a British Psychologist Dr. Arnall who suggested that it was due to the short winter days, the looming credit card bill post-holidays, and that most people have since lost momentum and let go of their New Year's Resolutions.

[Megan Rafuse @MRafuseTherapy]

Blue Monday was founded on a MYTH.

And here's why that's not a bad thing.