CMHA Calgary Wraps Up 2020

Despite the challenges that were presented in 2020, our supporters, old and new, have shown loyalty and generosity to CMHA Calgary, and our mission to provide mental health and wellness, community-based services to reduce the impact of mental disorders and addiction. We want to look back on all the positivity our organization has seen from earlier in the year all the way to the end.

As we go into the year 2021 with a pandemic still in full effect, we remind everyone to stay safe and be patient with your personal wellness. We’re all in this together as a community.

Let’s take a look back at an innovative year that would not have been possible without your support.

Energize Don’t Hide 

This summer we adapted our annual event, Ride Don’t Hide, into a virtual wellness campaign called, Energize Don’t Hide 2020 Challenge (EDH 2020). Despite the readjustment, we were generously backed by our sponsors and community members.

With 45 teams participating, we raised a total of $90,753 for our programs and services. A major contributor to those funds raised came from members of Team Stratus from Stratus Electrical & Instrumentation. Greg Epp along with his team are active supporters of CMHA Calgary.

Virtual Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

Our 16th Annual Survivors of Suicide Loss Day was hosted virtually via Zoom as a result of the restrictions on large gatherings in Alberta due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This event would not have been possible without the brave and dedicated voices of CMHA Calgary volunteers sharing their lived experiences. One volunteer in particular, Greg Duhaney, has attended our Survivors of Suicide Loss Day as a speaker for the past couple of years.

His vulnerability and courage in sharing his story about losing his brother to suicide has comforted other community members to feel like they are not alone in their journey of grief and acceptance. 

YouthSMART Website Sponsorship

Long-term CMHA Calgary supporters Sagium and Kinsted Wealth decided to sponsor our YouthSMART website for 2020 – 2021 in lieu of our annual YouthSMART Summit being cancelled due to COVID-19.

Their generous backing will generate even more youth-based, mental health-focused content for Calgary youth aged 12 – 19. Rick Green from Sagium and Royce Baker from Kinsted Wealth commented on why youth mental health education is vital in a CMHA Calgary’s YouthSMART Guide video. 

Community Support

We are very fortunate to partner with such like-minded local organizations that work with us to bring our vision of mentally healthy people in a healthy society, to the forefront.

It was even more apparent this year how valuable it is to have strong community leaders as allies and advocates of mental health during this strenuous period of time.

United Way

United Way of Calgary and Area has been a long time supporter of CMHA Calgary. Despite the economic downturn that occurred this year, they continued supporting our organization with an additional $50,000 through their COVID-19 funding in May.

Enmax

Enmax generously sponsored and funded our virtual Energize Don’t Hide event for $1,000 and donated $5,000 to our Winter Warm campaign producing in-kind items for our Outreach & Stabilization clients in need. CMHA Calgary also had the opportunity to engage Enmax in virtual Workplace Education sessions.

Cenovus

Cenovus reached out to CMHA Calgary requesting a Workplace Education session for their staff members accompanied by a $1,500 donation. They continued their generosity by gifting approximately $10,000 in furniture for our office building and in our group homes as well as providing a $7,500 grant that will be utilized for Capacity Building for our Strategic Planning process.

Nuera Insurance

CMHA Calgary is one of three charities that receives a percentage of Nuera’s sales and this year, we received $4,100 through this generous initiative. Nuera Insurance is also a champion of our Energize Don’t Hide event.

Calgary Flames Foundation

The Calgary Flames Foundation stepped up right away at the beginning of COVID-19 when they launched the COVID-19 Community Program to help address urgent needs for vulnerable persons and families. They also generously donated $50,000 to CMHA Calgary.

Gibson Energy

Gibson Energy donated proceeds to CMHA Calgary from an internal sale of office furniture and a pre-COVID hockey tournament. During the pandemic they hosted, Move for Mental Health, an employee cycling challenge where they raised over $25,000.

JACK 96.9

Throughout the year, JackFM’s Matt O’Neil and Sarah Crosbie invited CMHA Calgary to hop on the radio for over 30 appearances to talk to Calgarians about the importance of mental health and wellness in the midst of a pandemic.

Connect with CMHA Calgary This Season

Our Peer Support services are still accessible over the phone at 403-297-1402 or through email at peer@cmha.calgary.ab.ca. There is always a peer available to connect from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday to Friday, and Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm (excluding holidays).

Fees for all counselling services are based on a sliding scale. No one is refused service due to financial reasons. To book an appointment, phone 403-297-1708 or email counsellingintake@cmha.calgary.ab.ca or visit Community Connect YYC.

It’s important to note that CMHA Calgary does not provide crisis services. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the Distress Centre’s 24-hr Crisis Line at (403) 266-HELP or visit their website. 

Looking Forward

We cannot thank our community enough for keeping CMHA Calgary and our services and programs in your thoughts this year.

Because of your generosity, selflessness and support, we can deliver services to our clients and community members in need.

We will see all of you in the new year. Happy Holidays from the entire CMHA Calgary team!

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