Cameco Steps Up for Mental Health
You've made a huge difference for mental health in Saskatchewan, helping to raise more than $2.4 million since 2019.
In early 2019, the inaugural Step Up for Mental Health events were announced for Saskatchewan and Ontario. Fun runs/walks would take place in both Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Port Hope, Ontario, raising funds for the Cameco Fund for Mental Health. The Cameco Fund for Mental Health would fund projects and programs that make a difference for mental health in local communities where Cameco operates - Saskatchewan; Northumberland County, Ontario; and Blind River, Ontario.
Six more years of Step Up events have followed including a global virtual run/walk and golf tournaments in Northumberland County and Blind River, Ontario. Thousands of Step Up participants have raised not only funds, but also their voices to help end the stigma surrounding mental health.
Most recently, Cameco organized three Step Up events in Ontario for 2024. Participants could register for a 5K run/walk in Cobourg, a golf tournament in Blind River, or a golf tournament in Port Hope - or all three!
In May, over 700 participants laced up their shoes to participate 5K fun run/walk at Victoria Park in Cobourg. Participants were treated to a fun, inspirational experience on a beautiful course that highlights Cobourg’s historic downtown core and waterfront parks. Every dollar of entry fees, plus a matching amount from Cameco, supported the Cameco Fund for Mental Health (established through the Saskatoon Community Foundation). Over $78,000 was raised for local mental health initiatives in Northumberland County.
Participation was free for individuals who struggle with addictions and/or mental health issues. A staff member/formal support person accompanying someone in this category could also sign up for free.
Two golf tournaments followed in the spring, raising an additional $30,000 for the Cameco Fund for Mental Health - the third annual Blind River Cameco Charity Golf Tournament which took place on Friday, May 24, 2024 at Huron Pines Golf & Country Club in Blind River and the Port Hope Golf Tournament at Dalewood Golf Club on June 14, 2024.
Step Up for Mental Health, powered by Cameco, recognizes the importance of, and need for, mental health resources in the local community and that funding for mental health services is essential to helping improve access and support for those who need it.
Through the Step Up for Mental Health initiative we want to promote a healthy lifestyle, involve our employees, and support mental health projects that will make a difference in our community.
Since its inception in 2019, the Step Up events have raised more than $2.4 million in Saskatchewan and over $440,000 in Northumberland County and Blind River, Ontario, to support mental health. Thanks to Cameco Fund for Mental Health funding, a total of 166 grants have been awarded to support various projects that work to address and support mental health in Saskatchewan and Northumberland County and Blind River in Ontario.
- Summary of 2023 grants
In 2023, the Cameco Fund for Mental Health awarded $700,000 to support 24 projects directly benefitting Saskatchewan communities as well as organizations that provide province-wide services. The projects range in scope from no-cost counselling in northern Saskatchewan to mental health support for frontline workers.
4 Directions Child and Family Services
Care for children referred by the Ministry of Social Services or First Nation Child and Family agencies.
Grant: $50,000
Learn more about 4 Directions Child and Family Services
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon & Area
Mentorship program for youth facing adversities.
Grant: $15,000
Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon & Area
Boys & Girls Clubs of Saskatoon
No-cost access to professional mental health services.
Grant: $25,000
Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Saskatoon
Bring2Life Creative Counselling
No-cost counselling to serve youth and families in east-central and northern Saskatchewan.
Grant: $40,000
Learn more about Bring2Life Creative Counselling
Canadian Mental Health Association (Saskatoon)
Supporting nearly 80 families to navigate mental-health challenges.
Grant: $50,000
Learn more about Canadian Mental Health Association (Saskatoon)
Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan
Mental-health focused program for criminalized women and gender diverse individuals.
Grant: $38,000
Learn more about Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan
Elmwood Residences Inc.
Providing tools and resources via mental health apps and art therapy.
Grant: $5,700
Learn more about Elmwood Residences Inc.
Empty Arms Perinatal Loss Support Services Inc.
Providing specialized emotional support to parents who have lost a child during pregnancy or early childhood.
Grant: $25,000
Learn more about Empty Arms Perinatal Loss Support Services Inc.
Family Service Saskatoon
Individual and group counselling to address emerging mental health needs for adults experiencing barriers to service.
Grant: $45,000
Learn more about Family Service Saskatoon
Growing Young Movers Youth Development
Indigenous mentorship program in North Central Regina.
Grant: $10,000
Learn more about Growing Young Movers Youth Development
Heart Linked Community Services Co-operative
Mental health programming to Indigenous female youth from remote northern Saskatchewan.
Grant: $30,000
Learn more about Heart Linked Community Services Co-operative
Hope Restored Canada
Safe house program for women exiting being sexually exploited and trafficked.
Grant: $50,000
Learn more about Hope Restored Canada
Navera Community Connections
Providing skills and support to parents experiencing high stress and/or diagnosed mental health illness.
Grant: $48,950
Learn more about Navera Community Connections
OUT Saskatoon
Clinical supervision for counselling staff.
Grant: $3,600
Learn more about OUT Saskatoon
Possibilities Recovery Centre
Barrier-free mental health education for youth in Martensville.
Grant: $45,000
Learn more about Possibilities Recovery Centre
Prairie Harm Reduction
Project designed to provide mental health support to frontline workers.
Grant: $43,000
Learn more about Prairie Harm Reduction
Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Inc.
Mental health counsellor to work with those affected by isolation, hearing loss and addictions.
Grant: $45,000
Learn more about Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Inc.
Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association
Mental health support for people living with disabilities.
Grant: $25,000
Learn more about Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association
Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service Inc.
Trauma-informed care while supporting people as they exit homelessness.
Grant: $14,000
Learn more about Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service Inc.
Saskatoon Industry Education Council
Teachers receive trauma-informed certificate course.
Grant: $14,000
Learn more about Saskatoon Industry Education Council
Saskatoon Open Door Society
Art therapy program to support refugee and immigrant children who are experiencing mental health challenges as a result of life experiences such as war and displacement.
Grant: $16,750
Learn more about Saskatoon Open Door Society
Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre
Providing mental health first aid training.
Grant: $15,000
Learn more about Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre
YMCA Regina
Supporting youth with anxiety.
Grant: $23,000
YMCA Saskatoon
Supporting youth with anxiety.
Grant: $23,000
Learn about past Saskatchewan based Cameco Fund for Mental Health grant recipients here.
Learn about past Ontario based Cameco Fund for Mental Health grants recipients here.