The Bell Let’s Talk flag was raised Wednesday at city hall in support of the 13th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day.

By raising the flag, Whitehorse joined the world’s largest conversation about mental health, encouraging community members to take action today and every day for mental health.

“Raising the Bell Let’s Talk flag is a visible reminder to the community that mental health matters and that help is available,” said event organizers.

Community leaders joined Mayor Laura Cabott and Northwestel Inc. representatives at city hall to share what their organizations and governments are doing to tackle mental health challenges in the Yukon.

Premier Ranj Pillai, elder Lorraine Netro, Northwestel president Curtis Shaw and Tiffany Tasane, with the Canadian Mental Health Association Yukon, spoke about the importance of mental health support in the North.

Whitehorse joined more than 100 communities and partners around Canada that hoisted the flag to show support for mental health in their communities and to help create positive change.

Bell Let’s Talk provided practical examples of ways to create change:

• Choose a mental health organization to learn about or support.

• Help a friend struggling with their mental health by learning how to support them.

• Ask about how your school, workplace or community is creating change for mental health.

• Nurture your own well-being by practising and learning mental health strategies.

• Get involved in a mental health initiative or organize an event to support mental health.

• Engage in conversations about mental health to fight stigma.