Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 12, 2022

Every life is worth caring for; supporting our local superheroes
Conexus invests $1.3 million over the past five years in Saskatchewan health and wellness initiatives

(Wednesday, October 12, 2022 – Saskatchewan) – According to Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, one in five Canadians experience a mental illness, and by the time a Canadian reaches 40 years of age, one or two have or have had a mental illness. Mental illness and substance use disorders are the leading causes of disability in Canada, and about 4,000 Canadians per year die of suicide – an average of almost 11 suicides a day.1 Every life is worth caring for, and where you live, work, and play shouldn’t impact your chance of survival. That is why Conexus Credit Union (Conexus) is committed to partnering and investing with non-profit and charitable organizations that enhance the quality of life for everyone in our communities and province. In the last five years, Conexus has invested $1.3 million into health and wellness programs and initiatives across the province that do just that.

Here are a few of Conexus’ community partnerships, each of which is helping make our province a better place to live and thrive:

• STARS Air Ambulance (Saskatchewan-based): When there’s an emergency, STARS is there to provide health care quickly and efficiently. Conexus has been a proud supporter of STARS since its inception in 2012, donating over $525,000 to support its new helicopter fleet, equipment, and more. Having done over 1,234 missions, including assisting with the Humboldt Broncos bus crash and most recently the James Cree First Nations tragedy, STARS is an indispensable service available to all Saskatchewan residents.

• The Lung Association of Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan-based): Breathing makes us strong as the force that gives us energy. However, for one in five people affected by lung disease in Saskatchewan, every breath can be a struggle. Conexus’ investment of $45,000 into the Lung Association of Saskatchewan’s Caring Breaths Program has helped ease the financial burden that lung disease can bring to patients and their families. Throughout the pandemic, the program assisted over 250 residents in a variety of ways including providing medical masks and pediatric asthma kits, funding the cost of rent, utility bills, medical equipment, and more.

• Safe Communities Humboldt and Area (Humboldt-based): Breaking the stigma associated with suicide is so important for mental health. That’s why Conexus is proud to have provided $2,000 to support the Safe Communities Humboldt & Area’s safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training Program. Through safeTALK workshops, participants learn about suicide prevention to not only help build awareness in the community but also help people learn how to become more alert suicide helpers.

• OUTSaskatoon (Saskatoon-based): 2SLGBTQIA+ people face pervasive health disparities, increased rates of addiction and co-morbidities, and continue to experience homophobia and transphobia when engaging with healthcare providers at all points of contact. OUTSaskatoon’s mission is to uplift 2SLGBTQIA+ people by supporting a dynamic community by fostering physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health through intentional services and meaningful engagement.

  With Conexus’ contribution of $25,000, OUTSaskatoon has been further empowered to keep up with the demand for counseling services which saw a 400% increase in 2021.

• Synergy 8 (Northern Saskatchewan-based): Many healthcare services aren’t easily accessible in smaller communities, including Saskatchewan reserves. Partnering with several organizations and governments, including Conexus and its’ investment of $20,000, Synergy 8 has created the Drive for Kids Campaign to fund mental health and outreach programs within the community. To date, over 1,400 kids, parents, and elders have had direct access to dental, mental health, and medical services thanks to its Mobile Mental Health Bus.

• Heart Linked Community Services Co-operative (Northern Saskatchewan-based): As the world continues to navigate through the impacts of the pandemic, the need for mental health and wellness programming has never been higher. Heart Linked Community Services fosters belonging, resiliency, and leadership in young girls, with a current focus on Indigenous female youth from Northern Saskatchewan where there is the highest rate of self-harm and limited access to resources. With Conexus’ investment of $7,500 and in collaboration with the Northern Lights School Division, Heart Linked Community Services provides community-based solutions, school initiatives, and peer support helping to grow strong hearts and minds that will lead future generations.

• Inclusion Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan-based): Everyone deserves to be valued, supported, and included, and this is exactly what Inclusion Saskatchewan aims to ensure for people with intellectual disabilities. Conexus’ contribution of $15,000 supports the organization’s Northern Inclusion + Self-reliance Program which helps provide systems of support to ensure core needs in such areas as health, income, shelter, education, and social support are met and develops self-reliance.

Our partnership with various community partners across the province to address basic human needs in the area of health and wellness drives us further in the direction of achieving our purpose because we know that it's only when someone’s basic human needs are met that they can be financially well. By improving the
financial well-being of our members and communities, we’re contributing to the economic and social strength of our province and helping our members live the lives they want.

To learn more about Conexus and its investment back into Saskatchewan, visit our community partners.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Conexus Media Relations
Phone: 306-751-8201 | Email: publicrelations@conexus.ca

ABOUT CONEXUS CREDIT UNION
Conexus is a forward-thinking, innovative credit union committed to improving the financial well-being of our members and communities. We are one of Saskatchewan’s largest credit unions and being connected to our communities across the province is a commitment we have upheld for the last 80+ years. Working alongside our community investment partners enables us to deliver our purpose and in the last five years, we’ve invested over $9.5 million back into communities across Saskatchewan. To learn more, visit Conexus.ca.