CMHA Regina provides a safe place for those living with mental illness to visit to access support while also growing mental health awareness and understanding in Regina
For immediate release
The Regina branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association is excited to launch a campaign to raise $1.2 million to fund its capital needs. The funds will be used to renew the CMHA Regina building at 1810 Albert Street.
You have likely passed by CMHA Regina’s building. It is located near one of Regina’s busiest intersections. The building was constructed in 1951. It is owned outright by CMHA Regina and is ideally located for CMHA Regina to serve its purpose in the community. Given the building’s age, a decision was made to have it assessed by structural, electrical and mechanical engineers. Those engineering assessments helped CMHA Regina identify areas of renewal that the building requires.
The goals of the CMHA Regina Capital Campaign for Mental Health are to extend the life of the building and reduce CMHA Regina’s operating costs through improved energy efficiencies. But also to make the building appear more inviting to encourage more people to visit.
The CMHA Regina Capital Campaign for Mental Health will run in two phases to ensure those projects that are more urgent get done sooner. Money raised through the first phase of the campaign will be used to replace and reclad windows. The building also needs a new roof, its exterior needs fixing and a cork application applied, which will help protect the building's structural integrity. It will also make it more appealing.
Inside the building, some of the flooring needs attention as do the building’s electrical and HVAC systems. Updating these systems will help improve the energy efficiency of the building, reducing operating expenses, which matters to a non-profit. The second phase of the campaign is to cover these expenses.
“We have a goal of raising $600,000 in the first year of our campaign,” said Diana Hawryluk, who is a CMHA Regina board member and chair of the committee leading this campaign.
“It will be an exciting time for the board and the staff to meet with people in Regina to discuss CMHA Regina’s role in the community and the important work going on in its building.”
Staff working for CMHA Regina support those living with a mental illness and educate the community about mental health. CMHA Regina is a community-based, non-profit registered charity that provides a safe place for those living with mental illness to visit, be amongst peers, access programs and resources, enjoy a nutritious meal as well as learn ways to stay well. Those who visit our building for this support are known as our members. CMHA Regina has over 1,300 members registered.
“Barriers often exist for those living with a mental illness, including social isolation, limited access to education and employment as well as low self-esteem and confidence,” said Leroy Berndt, Executive Director of CMHA Regina.
“CMHA Regina offers programs and resources to support people and help them become more able to engage in life in the community and work to overcome these barriers.”
CMHA Regina’s building is also where Community Engagement staff prepare presentations, certificate training and community events on various mental health topics. They present to schools, post-secondary institutions, workplaces, agencies, non-profit organizations and community service groups. Approximately 40,000 people have learned about mental health and mental illness through CMHA Regina presentations, community events, and training opportunities since 2017. Not only does this work help people in our community with their mental health, but it contributes to erasing the stigma that so often surrounds mental illness.
“The Community Engagement team is extremely busy with thousands of people in our community wanting information on mental health and mental illness,” said Shannon Patton, Director of Community Engagement for CMHA Regina.
“In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness. In fact, by age 40, about 50 per cent of the population will have or have had a mental illness.”
Those interested in contributing to this campaign can contact Shannon Patton at 306-525-9543 ext. 100 or shannonpatton@cmharegina.com.
For interviews or more information, please contact:
Shannon Patton, Director of Community Engagement for CMHA Regina
306-525-9543 ext. 100