The Cameco Fund for Mental Health has awarded $400 thousand worth of grants to 21 projects benefiting 12 Saskatchewan communities. The projects range from education and training programs to direct support for people struggle with mental health and addictions. The fund is administered by the Saskatoon Community Foundation. The biggest allotments were for $25k and went to seven organizations. For a complete list of recipients, see this story at cjwwradio.com
Summary of 2019 grants
Break the Barrier: Project Voice
Break the Barrier is a group of community partners and volunteers whose objective is to eliminate stigma and discrimination experienced every day by people living with mental illness and substance-use disorders. Project Voice participants benefit from sharing their wisdom, experience, hope and recovery stories with the public, who will, in turn, benefit by challenging their own preconceived ideas and understandings.
Grant: $15,000
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Calder Centre: Yoga Enhancement Project
Calder Centre’s project aims to help clients improve their mental health though the addition of yoga and mindfulness classes with a skilled instructor who specializes in trauma-informed yoga.
Grant: $25,000
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Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatoon Branch: RISE – Resilience, Information, Support and Empathy
RISE reduces stigma while providing critical mental health information and training for Grade 10 and 12 students at Bedford Road and Mount Royal collegiates. The program also delivers wellness workshops to E.D. Feehan, Aden Bowman and Bishop James Mahoney high schools.
Grant: $25,000
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Central Urban Mtis Federation Incorporated: Sohkeyihtam – We are steadfast. Our determination is strong. We are strong minded.
The Central Urban Mtis Federation Inc. is a community-based organization enlisted by the Ministry of Social Services to be a safe haven for children who have suffered trauma. This project will provide immediate mental health support for children in CUMFI’s programs.
Grant: $25,000
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Child of the Cross Running Clinics: New Balance Race Series
Child of the Cross brings a message of hope and restoration to communities by sharing the benefits of living a healthy and active lifestyle. This project brings running clinics and a race series to four communities: Ochapowace Nation, North Battleford, Cumberland House and Rockglen.
Grant: $16,000
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Family Service Saskatoon: Mental Health and Well-being Groups
Family Service Saskatoon serves individuals, families and the community to nurture safe, healthy and respectful relationships. This project provides therapeutic groups for those who face barriers accessing mental health services. The groups focus on: 1) anxiety and depression, 2) building resilience, 3) social media and mental health, and 4) anger management.
Grant: $25,000
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Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan: Prince Albert Mental Health Project
Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan provides academic upgrading programs for people with challenges such as learning disabilities, ADHD, anxiety, depression and socio-economic barriers. This Prince Albert-based project supports students whose goal is to attain an adult education certificate.
Grant: $15,000
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Mtis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc.: Aftercare program – Prince Albert
Mtis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc. is a provincial organization that supports individuals in their quest to reduce substance dependence. The Prince Albert centre has 16 beds for inpatient care and provides additional services that focus on MACSI’s three pillars: prevention/harm reduction; intervention and aftercare.
Grant: $20,000
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Mtis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc.: Aftercare program – Saskatoon
Mtis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc. is a provincial organization that supports individuals in their quest to reduce substance dependence. The Saskatoon centre has 15 beds for inpatient care and provides additional services that focus on MACSI’s three pillars: prevention/harm reduction; intervention and aftercare.
Grant: $9,985
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North Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre: Mental Health First Aid for Non-Profit Workers
The North Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre promotes the independence of people with disabilities. This project trains non-profit workers in Mental Health First Aid, preparing them to confidently navigate situations involving mental health. Training locations include Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, La Ronge, Prince Albert, Estevan and Yorkton.
Grant: $25,000
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Northern Village of Beauval Minor Sports and Recreation: Addressing Mental Health Using Traditional Lifestyle Activities
Beauval’s project provides free cultural, sport and recreational programming. In addition to mental health awareness activities, this program encourages health lifestyles by organizing sporting activities and traditional Indigenous activities such as log sawing and hauling, bannock making, storytelling and medicine walks.
Grant: $15,000
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Persons Living with AIDS Network of Saskatchewan. Inc.: Niiya Wikiwaahk (Our Lives) Project 2020
The Persons Living with AIDS Network of Saskatchewan provides programs and services for those infected or affected by HIV. This project brings together HIV-positive clients and peers to work with a personal development coach towards physical, mental, emotional and spiritual/cultural wellness.
Grant: $24,824
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Saskatchewan Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured: Acquired Brain Injury Family and Caregiver Support 2020
The Saskatchewan Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured provides support for survivors of acquired brain injuries, along with their families and caregivers. This project focuses on the family support program with goals of: developing resiliency; and addressing issues of disenfranchised grief and ambiguous loss. Sessions are facilitated by a clinical psychologist and an art therapist.
Grant: $25,000
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Saskatchewan Health Authority – Early Psychosis Intervention Program: Recreational Activity Group
The Early Psychosis Intervention Program supports clients between the ages of 18-35 who are experiencing their first episodes of psychosis. The recreational activity group allows participants to engage in healthy, meaningful activities in the community to improve mental wellness and reduce stigma.
Grant: $680
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Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service Inc.: Trauma-Informed Service – Staff Education and Support
Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service provides 24-hour support, caring and connection for people in crisis. By providing education in trauma-informed care to mobile crisis workers, intensive case management workers, administrative staff, management and its board of directors, SCIS aims to provide more effective responses to those they serve.
Grant: $24,500
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Saskatoon Housing Coalition, Inc.: Stability Through Household Support Services
Saskatoon Housing Coalition Inc. provides supportive residential services for people with a chronic mental illness. These residents also struggle with challenges such as community acceptance, addictions and poverty. This project’s focus is to assist clients facing mental health and substance-use issues by addressing both issues at the same time.
Grant: $25,000
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Saskatoon Open Door Society: Art Therapy for Immigrant and Refugee Youth
The Saskatoon Open Door Society helps newcomers settle into their new lives in Canada. Many refugee children need trauma-informed and culturally appropriate mental health services. The art therapy program uses non-verbal tools such as drawing, painting, storytelling and crafts to help them express their emotions and explore their traumatic experiences.
Grant: $22,000
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Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre: Mental Health Awareness
Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre works with marginalized youth and adults. This project provides Mental Health First Aid facilitator training to a staff member so that they can conduct workshops on the same to students in the Early Childhood Education certificate program.
Grant: $4,440
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Sasknative Rentals Inc.: Indigenous Mental Wellness and Healing – Balancing Mind, Spirit, Emotion and Body
Sasknative Rentals Inc. provides safe, affordable and adequate housing for Mtis people in Saskatoon. Many clients suffer from addictions and most live with diagnosed mental illnesses. Residents live independently in their own apartments but are able to access on-site cultural peer support, case managers and clinicians when needed.
Grant: $14,488
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Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan: Saskatoon Office Renewal Program
The Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan provides information, support and programming. Re-establishing a Saskatoon office helps provide ongoing support to local families and individuals who are living with a mental health diagnosis.
Grant: $18,283
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University of Saskatchewan: USask Mental Health First Aid and Livingworks safeTALK
The University of Saskatchewan’s goal is to train 1,100 students in Mental Health First Aid and/or Livingworks safeTALK. Providing this education creates a safety network around individuals struggling with mental health issues. Those trained in Mental Health First Aid will be equipped to identify and intervene and provide care.
Grant: $24,800
