Ottawa's mental health community hopes the discussion around mental health will continue long after it was boosted by Bell Let's Talk Day on Wednesday.
Every text message and long-distance call on Bell's phone networks meant a five-cent donation to mental health programs, as well as every re-tweet of its main message on Twitter.
The goal was to take away the stigma that comes with talking about depression or other mental health issues.
Hannah Brunsdown said she felt "surrounded by death" during her battle with depression.
"I wasn't happy, I wasn't sad, I wasn't anything . . . I was an empty shell," said the 16-year-old aspiring actor. "It's sort of like how do you get from one point to the point of committing suicide, and I didn't know how I was going to get there but I knew I was on that track."
She said someone's decision to talk to her about it saved her life.
"My mom sat me down and said ‘Hannah, I think you're suffering from depression,'"
One in five Canadians are living with a mental illness, with the day aiming to let them know they aren't alone.
Dr. Raj Bhatla of the Royal Ottawa said the first conversation isn't easy, but is crucial.
"An honest, open conversation and actually listening to your child . . . and making sure that they can express how they feel," he said on Canada A.M.
The issue has some high-profile supporters in the Ottawa area, including councillor Allan Hubley and Ottawa Senators coach Luke Richardson who lost children to suicide.
Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson's sister is living with a mental illness.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of," he said. "It's still something we don't really want to talk about."
Brunsdown said she's getting treatment for depression and anxiety and wants to let each others know it's not too late to talk about their illnesses.
"You can't ignore it, and would you ignore somebody else? No," she said. "So don't ignore yourself."
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem
