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opinion: addressing alberta's raging mental health fire
alberta stands resilient amid nature’s furies. having d...
nov 9 2023
2 minute read
programs like the united way of calgary's planet youth and impact society's heroes support youth mental wellness in our community.
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alberta stands resilient amid nature’s furies. having defended lives, property and infrastructure through the worst wildfire season ever, we now turn our attention to the coming snowfalls. however, as we confront the forces of nature, we cannot ignore the raging mental-health storm, especially within our youth.
let’s begin with the sobering statistics.
twenty per cent of children and youth suffer from a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. fewer than 20 per cent of those receive therapeutic treatment. and these numbers reflect only those who have received an “official” diagnosis.
the calgary foundation’s 2023 quality of life report spells out a bigger, hugely concerning story for our kids.
overall, young people aged 18 to 24 feel the most stressed. nearly half said they are often (36 per cent) or always (22 per cent) stressed. a full 40 per cent rate their mental health as below average (29 per cent) or poor (11 per cent). tragically, 42 per cent of them lack access to essential mental-health support. such figures don’t just imply concern — they scream crisis.
in a province where adversity — be it natural or socioeconomic — has become a norm, our priority should not only be to provide immediate relief but to prepare our youth for the challenges of tomorrow.
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experience has shown again and again that reactive measures are not enough. alberta’s kids need proactive, well-researched and sustainable programs. with adequate support, programs such as the impact society’s heroes can greatly extend this influence. the investment is a tiny fraction of the costs being experienced by kids, the adults they will become, families and communities.
consider the broader implications highlighted by the quality of life report:
• safety: 80 per cent of residents have safety concerns, indicative of an “always on” insecurity and unease.
• housing: 36 per cent can’t afford rent, ramping up economic pressures that are among the significant stressors.
• health and nutrition: 27 per cent of calgarians eat less to cut costs, directly affecting their mental and physical well-being.
• employment: 26 per cent of calgarians struggle to find suitable jobs, underlying that financial instability is greatly damaging to mental health.
yet, there’s hope. a majority (79 per cent) don’t plan on leaving calgary. plus, with 89 per cent endorsing calgary as a good place for families, the foundation for a supportive community is evident. the same community where 75 per cent made a donation last year suggests a culture of mutual support.
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to the alberta government: you have taken important, meaningful steps. now is the time to address the intertwined challenges of mental well-being, socioeconomic pressures and the outcomes for all of our futures.
we have viable, proven and structured solutions in programs such as heroes. as we reinforce our physical boundaries against wildfires, let’s similarly fortify the mental resilience of alberta’s most precious resource — its youth.
our call is not just for a fleeting moment of support, but a sustainable alliance for a brighter, mentally healthier future for alberta.
chris primeau is the ceo of the impact society.
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