Invested in Community: Calgary’s Mental Health and Addiction Community Strategy

Often, we felt like the systems that are supposed to help us are only seeing part of the picture. It is important that we tell our stories of mental health, mental illness, and addiction.”

Mental illness and addiction are prevalent issues throughout the world, but the work that needs to be done surrounding these issues is unique to the places in which they exist. There is no universal band-aid that can heal mental illness globally, and Mayor Nenshi, Calgary City Council, and the thought leaders behind Calgary’s Mental Health and Addiction Community Strategy recognize that in order to achieve success locally, our strategy needs to be tailored to Calgarians.

Viewpoint Foundation was approached to participate in this initiative and offer our support by joining the Community Investment Table. This community-based strategy was first idealized in 2018 when a gap between diagnosis and recovery was realized. Although there are resources available to those facing mental health challenges, it is hard for many people to find those resources at the right time, let alone know which ones to use. After hearing Calgarians' many calls, Calgary’s Mental Health and Addiction Community Strategy was developed and City Council approved $25 million to fund this initiative. With a focus on belonging and having a sense of connection within the community, “this strategy views health in a holistic way; including body, mind and spirit.”

This strategy is not only addressing those who are in crisis, but it also includes preventative action for those who have yet to experience it. Partnerships have been made with Alberta Health Services, The City of Calgary, Distress Centre Calgary, Fresh Start, and the Canadian Mental Health Association, just to name a few. The strategic framework consists of three sets of actions:

1. Being Well. Wellness at home, at school, at work, and in the community. Preventing mental illness and addiction before it starts by helping people feel that they belong, as well as teaching them to cope with uncertainties. 

2. Getting Help. What you need, when, where, and how you need it. Creating a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable system of support and services that improve the quality of life for Calgarians struggling with mental illness or addiction.

3. Staying Safe. Security at all times, especially in a crisis.  Connecting people to effective help in a timely manner.

This strategy was not created overnight, and the benefits hoped to be accomplished through this strategy will take a considerable amount of time and effort. But to invest in the community, we must invest in the well-being of those who are a part of it.

The unique circumstances that arose due to COVID-19 required a need for immediate action. An initiative called "Change Can’t Wait!" asked Calgary organizations for ideas that were “fast to market, fast to fail, fast to succeed and fast to scale up.” With resources from the City and the Community Investment Table, 29 projects were funded. These projects range from outreach teams and youth programs, to suicide prevention training and shelter diversion. You can view the list of all projects funded here.
We know this strategy is not perfect…We can do better. We will do better. We may not be perfect, but let us all be brave.”

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