![BodyBreak's Hal Johnson [left] and Joanne McLeod speak at the Bruce Power Visitors Centre to kick off the Break The Silence social media campaign.](https://media.mynewstoday.ca/i/oenbgzeR/355)
Bruce Power had some help launching its mental health awareness campaign from one of Canada's most iconic fitness duos.
BodyBreak's Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod were on hand as Bruce Power kicked off its Break The Silence social media campaign, aimed at raising funds and awareness for local mental health programs.
Johnson says mental health was not something the pair considered when they started telling Canadians to keep fit and have fun nearly three decades ago, but the suicide of a relative changed their perspective on the importance of being mentally healthy.
"For 29 years now, we've been promoting fitness and health and not really thinking in terms of mental health," says Johnson. "But the correlation and relationship between mental health and physical health is quite strong, so our goal now is to keep that message out there and keep it alive for everyone."
Bruce Power has committed to donating $1 to local mental health programs for every share of its Break The Silence Facebook post, as well as every Twitter post that includes the Break The Silence hashtag.
McLeod says the campaign is a a great way to get the conversation started around mental health.
"It makes it come to the forefront that people should talk to a friend, to a family member," says McLeod. "It's okay if you're having a problem to search out for a solution."
