Calgary Chamber announces exclusive three-year Mental Health Pillar Partnership with Cenovus Energy

New collaboration will focus on shining a spotlight on the importance of mental health in workplaces across the Calgary business community.

Calgary, May 15, 2024 – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Calgary Chamber is thrilled to announce Cenovus as our Mental Health Pillar Partner. This transformational three-year partnership will promote mental health awareness, resources and education across all sectors and business sizes. It will also encourage employers, leaders and employees to maintain an ongoing focus on their own well-being and the well-being of those around them.

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, one in two Canadians have or have had a mental illness by the time they reach 40, which prevents nearly 500,000 Canadians from working each week. Through specialized programs and events, an amplified focus on open mental health discussions, and access to tools and resources, we are supporting a proactive approach to addressing mental health concerns. By encouraging Calgarians to support mental health early, openly and regularly, we aim to make significant progress. This is the driving force behind the establishment of the Mental Health Pillar Partnership.

“We created the Mental Health Pillar Partnership to bring purposeful attention and resources to the growing mental health crisis,” says Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber. “With the increased and much-needed attention on mental health in the workplace, companies like Cenovus are leading the way in their commitment to encourage access to mental health resources, ensuring everyone can be their best selves at work and in their personal lives. I applaud Cenovus for their visible and continued commitment to community well-being by making possible increased access to essential mental health resources across the Calgary business community.”

Cenovus will partner on the Chamber’s mental health events, including today’s Mental Health Forum and our National Depression Screening Day event, as well as unique programming to be launched later this year. The Cenovus team will also provide ongoing thought leadership in the mental health space, distributed through the Calgary Chamber’s website and social channels to provide resources across Calgary’s business community.

"At Cenovus, we know having effective supports in place encourages transparent conversations about mental health and well-being. We want our staff to be themselves, have a sense of belonging and thrive every day," says Norrie Ramsay, Executive Vice-President, Upstream - Thermal & Offshore at Cenovus. "Our pillar partnership with the Calgary Chamber is an innovative way to expand mental health programs in the wider community and continue to promote awareness."

For more information about the partnership, visit calgarychamber.com/mental-health.

About the Calgary Chamber of Commerce

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce exists to help businesses reach their potential. As the convenor and catalyst for a vibrant, inclusive and prosperous business community, the Chamber works to build strength and resilience among its members and position Calgary as a magnet for talent, diversification and opportunity. As an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1891, we build on our history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors across the city.