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On May 31, more than 150 Vancouverites including Queen’s Alumni attended the fourth annual Bell Let’s Talk Lecture at Simon Fraser University Goldcorp Centre for the Arts in Vancouver last week. The Breaking the Silence Lecture is aimed at raising awareness about mental health and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.

Queen’s professor Dr. Stuart, Bell Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research Chair, was the keynote speaker and her presentation focused on the five simple ways each of us can play a role in ending the stigma around mental health issues. Dr. Stuart’s research concentrates on understanding the experience of stigma from the perspective of those directly affected by mental illness and their families. “We need to change the way people think about mental illness. We must end the fear and prejudice so those affected will be treated fairly and without stigma,” says Dr. Stuart. “The more we openly talk about mental illness, the more people’s attitude will change. These conversations are important and must happen more often.”

The event was hosted by CTV Vancouver’s Tamara Taggart, CTV News at Six Anchor, and featured former CFL linebacker and two-time Grey Cup Champion Shea Emry.  After suffering a concussion in 2011 that put him out for the remainder of the football season, Emry found himself battling problems from the past. Negative self-talk, isolation, and an intensifying self-consciousness drew him back into the depressive state he had known as an adolescent; having experienced extreme bullying during his childhood. However, in early 2012, Emry was inspired to leverage his position as a professional athlete as a platform to share his story with youth, inspiring self-care and conversation concerning wellness and mental health. His mission to unmask masculinity begun. The founder of Wellmen, he uses his platform as a former professional athlete to talk to people about mental health issues and is currently a Bell Let’s Talk Ambassador. 

The evening concluded with a panel discussion where the floor opened for attendees to pose questions to either Dr. Stuart or Emry. Tom Harris, Vice-Principal, Advancement and Bell Let’s Talk Chair, Mary Deacon were in attendance and provided opening remarks. “Bell Let’s Talk is very pleased to work closely with Queen’s University to support anti-stigma research and mental health awareness, including funding the world’s first chair in anti-stigma research,” says Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “The annual Breaking the Silence lecture helps broaden the discussion around ending the stigma of mental illness, which remains the biggest barrier for people seeking help.”

In February 2012, Bell announced a $1 million donation to Queen’s over five years to create the Bell Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research Chair. The funding allows Dr. Stuart to focus her research on developing and disseminating best practices to reduce stigma. Historically, studies of mental health stigma focused on the beliefs held by the general public. Dr. Stuart has been working to understand the experience of stigma from the perspective of people who have a mental illness.