Everyone deserves to have their basic needs met, including food, a safe home, and financial security. When individuals and families can access the supports and services that build skills and facilitate socialization, they are better equipped to overcome life challenges. Your generous support is helping to address these needs by granting funds to agencies whose programming is focused on:

1. Supporting positive mental health
2. A barrier-free path to services
3. A connection to community

Thanks to your act of local love, people like Laura can overcome their struggles with mental health and gain connection to a community of support.

“When I found United Way, I was suffering from depression and anxiety. Every night, I was going to bed praying that I would not wake up the next day. But even when my depression was at its worst, I knew there must be a different life.

I am originally from Romania, and back home, we don’t talk about mental health, and seeking support is seen as a weakness. For years, I struggled alone and in silence. When I came to Canada, my degree was not accredited, and I had to retrain to continue my career. I am a perfectionist, and I put so much pressure on myself to succeed that I lost sight of the harm I was doing to my mental health.

Going through United Way-supported classes showed me how powerful it could be to navigate your challenges. Mental health is not something you achieve, and then you forget it – it’s something that you have to maintain.

Today, I am in a much better place. I know that mental health issues are nothing to be ashamed of. Recovery is possible, and there is hope for a better, happier life.

Watch Laura’s Story HERE

WHAT WE KNOW – Mental Health

In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.

Mental illness affects people of all ages, education, income levels, and cultures; however, systemic inequalities such as racism, poverty, homelessness, discrimination, colonial and gender-based violence, among others, can worsen mental health and symptoms of mental illness, especially if mental health supports are difficult to access.

THE IMPACT OF YOUR DONATION – Right Here At Home

1. 83 adults living with a mental health disorder participated in a transitional employment program completing 2,666 hours of paid work in the community.
2. 1,147 adults and youth received individual and group counselling, support their mental health and well-being.
3. 117 newcomers received support and counselling to cope and manage their stress and anxiety.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LIVES YOU HAVE HELPED CHANGE

By visiting unitedwaysaskatoon.ca, you can watch more videos and read more stories about lives changes through your support of United Way.

Keep up to date with events and see what United Way is up to in our community.

Click here to visit unitedwaysaskatoon.ca now.

DONATE NOW

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