Fuelling Kindness for Mental Health

A recent survey by the Canadian Mental Health Association found that 40% of Canadians say their mental health has deteriorated since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have worries such as putting food on the table or being safe from physical or emotional domestic violence, and 10% say they are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

To help address the impacts of the pandemic and its related restrictions on mental health in communities across Canada, Shell Canada and its employees are focusing their Fuelling Kindness program on mental health organizations in 2021.

To start, Shell Canada will donate $100,000 to Kids Help Phone on February 17 in recognition of National Random Acts of Kindness Day.

“Mental health and e-mental health solutions drive the stability of communities, families, social-economic health and the future of Canada. Together we can reassure youth that they are never alone and can access support whenever they need it” says Jenny Yuen, VP of National Partnerships and Chief Community Officer at Kids Help Phone.

Kids Help Phone is a national organization offering around the clock professional counseling support to youth and families experiencing difficulties. Counseling services are confidential and offer culturally appropriate resources through multiple channels like text and social media messaging.

Shell employees and retirees will then have a chance to do their own acts of kindness in support of mental health through a new employee-driven initiative called “Fuelling Kindness for Mental Health.” From February 17 – March 31, 2021 Shell employees and retirees can to donate to a local mental health organization of their choice with Shell matching these contributions up to $200,000.

A similar Shell employee-led initiative in 2020 called “Feeding Communities through Fuelling Kindness,” had an overwhelming response and led to more than $250,000 in total donations across Canadian food banks in 2020.

“We know our employees and retirees want to be a part of a making a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians,” says Michael Crothers, Canada Country Chair. “This kind of virtual support is an adaptation to the physical volunteering typically done through our Fuelling Kindness program. Kind gestures, no matter how small, can have big impacts on our health, relationships and society.”