Saskatoon Sexual Health

04/29/2026

04/28/2026

The new HIV data have been released for 2024. Saskatchewans HIV rates are still triple the rate of the national average. There is good news: Saskatchewan’s per capita rate has decreased from 19.3 to 18.6. Across Canada, the rate of new HIV diagnoses decreased by 3.3%. Here are some other key things to keep in mind:

- HIV rates in Canada increased 35% from 2022 to 2023, with Saskatchewan maintaining some of the highest rates of STIs (work in this area is important!)
- Injection drug use can be a vector for transmission of STBBIs like HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C. Also, drug use can contribute to high-risk s*xual behaviour (be aware and take action to protect yourself and others!)
- IV drug use remains a significant factor among new diagnoses across genders. It accounts for about 17% of all first-time HIV diagnoses (harm reduction matters!)
- Harm reduction centres and services address the rising rates of STBBIs that Saskatchewan is struggling with (support them!)

PrEP, PEP, condoms and s*x ed are free HIV prevention. Visit getcheckedsask.ca to learn more about STI testing and prevention.

Read more on the Government of Canada webpage: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/hiv-aids/health-professionals/surveillance-highlights.html

04/27/2026

Something important is coming to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan… 💛

Beginning May 1, Stick & Stone Counselling Services is opening our doors in a new way.

We are proud to launch Walk-In Mental Health Counselling Services—providing immediate, in-person support for individuals who need someone to talk to now, not weeks from now.

Because the truth is…
Too many people are struggling in silence.
Too many are waiting hours—or days—for support.
And no one should have to sit in distress, alone, wondering where to go.

At Stick & Stone, we believe:
You deserve support in the moment you need it.

Our walk-in service offers:
• Immediate access to a counsellor
• A safe, private, trauma-informed environment
• Support for anxiety, panic, emotional overwhelm, and crisis support
• Care for children, youth, adults, couples, and families

We are here to support individuals who need timely mental health care, while also helping to reduce pressure on our medical system—ensuring people receive the right level of care, in the right place, at the right time!

Walk-In Hours:
🕘 Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

This service is designed for individuals who would benefit from immediate emotional support and stabilization.

For those needing urgent medical care, immediate safety support, or hospital-based services, we encourage connecting with emergency services or your nearest emergency department so you can receive the level of care you need right away.

Our Counsellors and Social Workers are able to direct bill to many approved insurance providers, and accept a variety of funding sources such as NIHB.

Located in our new 7,000 sq ft facility in the North End of Saskatoon, our expanded team is here to support our community in a more responsive and accessible way than ever before. We also offer counselling support in 7 different languages!

No appointment. No long wait. Just support when it matters most.

💛 Launching May 1, 2026

📍Stick & Stone Counselling Services
#205 – 2803 Faithfull Ave Saskatoon, SK

📞 (306) 954-7727

Because at Stick & Stone…no one should have to feel alone!

04/23/2026

The Crocus Co-op drop in centre is in need of donations to match a rising need in the community! You can bring items to 135 Ave B South from 9-4. Items they are in need of include

• clothing
• wipes
• pre-packaged food
• toothbrushes
• bottles of water

It has been 5 days since Prairie Harm Reduction closed their doors. 5 days of confusion, worry, and trying to figure out how we can help our community in these trying times. Crocus has always been about supporting our community the best we can, and we will continue to do so despite this heartbreaking turn of events.

We are preparing to see more individuals in need of support and we will try our hardest to give what we can. Although, we will need help ourselves to keep up with this rising need. This is where we ask you, our beloved community, to stand with us and care for your city. The need for basic supplies is increasing and no one can do this alone. If you have the ability to, or know someone who does, please share this message along.

We are looking for donations of personal care items.
Clothing
Toothbrushes/toothpaste
Deodorant
Baby wipes
Shampoo/conditioner
Hair brushes/combs
Bottles of water
Individually packaged snacks/food items
Etc

All donated items will be distributed to anyone in need that comes through our doors at no charge. This is the time to care for your neighbours.

To the people of Saskatoon,
Please practice kindness and empathy. Everyone is human. We are all somebody’s child, parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, etc. We have all been on unique journeys that have lead us to the people we are today, and in all of our darkest moments we know that a little kindness goes a long way.

To Prairie Harm Reduction,
We applaud your strength, sacrifices, and kind souls. We will never forget all the good you have done 💜

With love - Crocus Staff

04/23/2026

Happy Earth Day, fellow earthlings! Environmental health impacts reproductive health, s*xual health and reproductive justice.

We’re excited to shine a light on a few of the ways that we can align s*xual and reproductive health with the values of sustainability and environmental protection. For example, there are several sustainable brands for s*xual health and pleasure products like and the Gaia toy line from .

We also offer free resuable period supplies, such as menstrual cups and period underwear. We accept donations of new period products to provide to those in need.

When it comes to protecting the planet, we’re all in this together. Hope you find some ways to celebrate and advocate for this planet we call home! 💚

04/22/2026

Not all responses to harm look the way people expect—and those misunderstandings can deepen the harm survivors experience.

Our bodies are wired to protect us. Sometimes that looks like shutting down, going along to stay safe, or mentally checking out. These responses are automatic survival strategies—not conscious choices—and they should never be mistaken for consent or agreement.

When we shift our understanding of trauma, we create space for more compassion, reduce victim-blaming, and hold perpetrators of harm accountable in a real way. Supporting survivors starts with believing them and recognizing what survival can look like.

We all have a role in building trauma-informed communities where people feel seen, supported, and safe. 💜

04/21/2026

We are still celebrating icons and advocates in women’s health! 💜

Dr. Jennifer Gunter is a Canadian-American gynecologist, a New York Times columnist covering women’s health, an author, and a specialist in chronic pain medicine and vulvovaginal disorders. She was born in Winnipeg, MB. She’s an advocate for “a better medical internet” and bears the nickname “Twitter’s Resident Gynecologist” as she often takes to her keyboard to talk about pain management and debunk myths about women’s health. She’s the author of The Menopause Manifesto and The Va**na Bible, among others, where she counters dangerous false information on the web about female health. She also recorded a podcast called Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter.

Cecilia Chung is a civil rights leader and activist for LGBT rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, health advocacy, and social justice. Cecilia has spent much of her adult life advocating for health-related issues affecting the LGBT community, including working as an HIV test counselor at UCSF AIDS Health Project, HIV Program Coordinator at API American Health Forum, and deputy director at the Transgender Law Center. Additionally, Cecilia is the first transgender woman and first Asian to be elected to lead the board of directors of the San Francisco Le***an, Gay, Bis*xual, and Transgender Pride Celebration and the first transgender woman and the first person living openly with HIV to chair the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.

Hydeia Broadbent was born with undiagnosed HIV in 1984 and diagnosed at age 3. Predicted not to survive childhood, she lived to 39. She developed AIDS at 5 and started activism at 6. Broadbent spoke at AIDS benefit concerts, documentaries, college events, and talk shows, including a 1992 Nickelodeon special with Magic Johnson. In 1994, she founded the Hydeia L. Broadbent Foundation. In 1996, she said: “I am the future, and I have AIDS.” In 2014, she was a spokesperson for AIDS awareness and anti-discrimination efforts. Hydeia passed away in February 2024, but her legacy of hope persists.

04/19/2026

We’re looking for self-motivated individuals who are committed to supporting the pro-choice, s*x-positive mandate of our organization. Join a dedicated team of people responsible for oversight and stewardship, and help ensure that we fulfill our mission. Join the Saskatoon Sexual Health board!

Email board@shcsaskatoon.ca to express your interest! Or visit www.saskatoons*xualhealth.ca/get-involved/ for more information. We accept applications for our board on a rolling basis.

04/17/2026

We are excited to welcome Kristan back to lead another impactful beading workshop. Join us for a meaningful, hands-on opportunity to create, connect and reflect in honour of Red Dress Day.

This workshop is designed for participants with some beading experience. Refreshments will be provided.

Register now to save your spot! https://tinyurl.com/2sbdhxvd

04/17/2026

Give the gift of s*xual health care!

Did you know? SSH has a “sponsor an IUD” fund, and you can sign up to be a monthly donor or offer a one-time donation to help people in our community afford an IUD. Long acting reversible contraceptives can cost anywhere from $85 to $400 dollars. You can make a one time donation or monthly one to support birth control access.

Bodily autonomy shouldn’t be cost-prohibitive, and this is a tangible way to support reproductive care for a neighbour in need.

https://saskatoons*xualhealth.ca/donate/

04/16/2026

Carrying naloxone can save lives! And it’s available for FREE at most pharmacies and many community organizations. With Prairie Harm Reduction closing, many people in Saskatoon will not have access to drug testing, safe consumption sites and other life saving harm reduction services. Having naloxone and getting overdose response training is even more vital! Swipe to find out where you can find a naloxone kit or training in Saskatoon.

If you would like to know how to respond to an overdose, CATIE has a guide and pamphlet on how to respond to an overdose and use Naloxone. Also, you can visit the province’s mental health and addictions website to see the map of take home naloxone program sites all over Saskatchewan. The link is in our bio (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/accessing-health-care-services/mental-health-and-addictions-support-services/alcohol-and-drug-support/opioids/take-home-naloxone-program-sites). Also, you can call or visit the 211 community services hotline (call or text 211 or visit their website at sk.211.ca).

Naloxone, sometimes called by it’s brand name Narcan, is a fast-acting medication that can reverse an opioid overdose within 2 minutes. If there’s no response in 2-3 minutes, more doses can be given safely. Naloxone works by kicking off opioids from brain receptors, which blocks their effects. Opiates can last a longer in the body than the naloxone. It is good to monitor the person and see if additional doses are needed.

If you are responding to a suspected overdose, naloxone is safe to administer even if the person isn’t overdosing on op**tes, as it only acts on op**te receptors, does not create dependency, and is suitable for all ages.

❤️

04/15/2026

We have a couple things happening this month!! Join us at our upcoming events for fun, education and community!

April 18 - Yintah at Paved Arts
Our next CARES programming session is a movie night. Join us for pizza and celebrate earth day as we watch Yintah. The 2024 documentary is about indigenous sovereignty and land protection in the Wet’suwet’en territory.

April 21-22 - SK Ballroom Workshop Series
From a kiki to s*xual health knowledge, ballroom culture has been a space for sharing, care, community and health. The ballroom scene has been and continues to be a vital part of QTBIPOC activism and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. In this workshop, Saskatoon Sexual Health will discuss the tradition of community care and s*xual health education in the ballroom scene. Join and learn how 2SLGBTQIA+ communities have cared for each other and how we can continue those traditions.