© 2014 Charles Dunlevy for Dunlevy Publishing
Let us talk. Sounds familiar? Every year, we have an event titled Bell Let’s Talk. It is a great program to bring awareness to mental health and combat the stigma. For every social media post that includes the hashtag #BellLetsTalk, Bell Media makes a cash donation towards mental health.
I always thought this was a great initiative. Several local high-profile individuals have come forward with their stories of how they deal with mental health issues. Their stories have been immeasurably helpful to hundreds of thousands if not, millions of people. Among these brave and inspirational people are one of my favourite television hosts and one of my favourite radio hosts.
Let’s Talk. Bell, let us talk about mental health. Let us talk about the anguish that is gripping a society dealing with the pains of isolation amid fears of the raging pandemic. Let us talk about the increased numbers of people suffering from mental health issues. Let us talk about several of my most cheerful friends now showing signs of depression.
Bell Media, let’s talk. Let us talk about the wonderful women and men who work at your media outlets… radio and television stations coast to coast. Let us talk about these wonderful people who entertain, inform, and even keep us company while we work or isolate at home.
Let us talk about how as fans of these personalities, we have been in communication with them via social media. Let us talk about how wonderful your radio and television hosts have been treating their fans throughout the years.
Let’s talk mental health. Yes, let’s talk about the inspiration that several of us drew from your on-air personalities. Let us talk about how their own stories have inspired us to keep up the good fight and also to become better people.
Let’s talk about those of us who have been alone in isolation for months on end… those of us who through isolation sought comfort in the familiar voices on talk radio. Those of us who sought comfort in the familiar faces on television.
Let us talk about the fans of these personalities who after years of listening and/or watching them have either become friends in real life, or feel like they are friends. These are people we invite into our homes every time we turn on the television or radio. These are the people who keep us company during isolation. These are the same people who keep us company while we worked at our jobs. These are the same people who keep us company while we commute to and from work. These are people. They are heroes in their own ways.
Finally, let’s talk about how you laid off hundreds of people just days after your wide-spread Let’s Talk campaign for mental health. Have you no heart? Have you no mercy for the mental health of not only the fans of the personalities you so heartlessly tossed out the door, but the mental health of the very personalities themselves?
The day I learned of the first set of layoffs, I was devastated. The additional rounds sent shock waves through my mind. I am blessed to work for an incredible company doing work that I truly love and enjoy, but the day you laid off some of my heroes was a dark day.
Bell Media, let’s talk about the cruelty you inflicted on your now-former employees and their legions of fans. Let’s talk about the damage you caused to mental health. Let’s talk about the depression you brought upon us. Thank you Bell. Thank you for helping us out.
Let’s Talk. The gimmick is over.
