St. Clair College students aim to make a difference, inspired by Bell Let’s Talk Day

Aim for a Brighter Future members Isabelle Gagnier (left), Aspyn Krizanovic (middle) and Mackenzie Anderson (right) seen in Windsor, Ont. on Jan. 21, 2025. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor)

Wednesday is Bell Let’s Talk Day, and three St. Clair College students are working on their own campaign to support the national cause to address youth mental health challenges.

Second-year students, Mackenzie Anderson, Isabelle Gagnier and Aspyn Krizanovic created their campaign called “Aim For A Brighter Future.”

Its goal is to raise awareness about the issue of mental illness and to collect puzzles, fidget toys and adult colouring books to stimulate positive mental cognition and mood.

Over the next three months, the trio will be canvassing community support of their cause and hope that they will be able to make a significant donation to mental health agencies and hospitals in our region.

“We want to advocate that mental health isn’t something to be ashamed of and it doesn’t hurt to get help,” said Krizanovic.

One in three Canadians will deal with a significant mental health crisis in their lifetime.

That statistic hits home for Gagnier.

“I know a lot of family members who’ve also dealt with it,” said Gagnier.

“So, if there’s any way that we can help, I would love to do that.”

For the team, time is of the essence to get the ball rolling on campus and beyond to garner support and achieve their project objectives.

“We only have three months to do it,” said Mackenzie Anderson.

“But we were really, really excited when we started brainstorming last semester that we could actually make a difference in the community.”

Canada’s youth suicide rate is the second leading cause of death for young people in the nation. Kids Help Phone said it’s talking to younger and younger children about suicidal ideation.

The public is encouraged to donate $5 by text on the 15th annual Bell Lets Talk Day, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to six youth mental health organizations:

• Integrated Youth Services
• Jack.org
• Kids Help Phone
• National Association of Friendship Centres
• Strongest Families Institute
• Youth In Mind Foundation

Canadians can double their impact as Bell will match all $5 donations up to a total of $1 million.

In 2025, Bell will gift $10 million towards mental health initiatives. Since 2010, the Bell Let’s Talk investment has surged to $184 million in total.

This year, in support of the national Bell Let’s Talk campaign, Bell Media will feature special mental health content in English and French across its television, radio and digital properties, including a new French language documentary, Les gars, faut qu’on se parle, available on Crave, Canal Vie, Canal D and later on Noovo.