Calgary
Is Mental Illness in Calgary On The Rise?
Mental health issues, mental illness, depression, OCD, PTSD, the list goes on, and we’ve all seen the signs, whether behind bus shelter windows, plastered across the dusty sides of buses, on depressing, two-tone billboards, or in our own relations; so the question is, are we all losing the plot, if I may veer slightly away from politically correct diction?
Or is there more at play here, underlying causal factors, sociological and socioeconomic conditions, dragging 1 in 5 Calgarians down to the point where they say, either to themselves or to a doctor usually to both—I am mentally unwell? But maybe it’s more simple than that, perhaps society is focusing its attention on an age-old aspect of the human condition, relabelled and redefined, repackaged by media outlets hungry for another sad story, and dressed up by advertising agencies representing corporations and governmental and non-governmental organizations and societies—perhaps not.
To elucidate this complex and stigmatized societal issue, I spoke with my stepfather, Dr. Ken Fryatt of the Alberta Worker’s Compensation Board. He stated that in his meeting with and diagnosing those who have been injured on the job, in his opinion, approximately 30 percent suffer from underlying psychological issues, which, he explained, are more often than not unrelated to the reported injury itself.
When asked the most common form of mental illness he sees in his patients, his answer was quick and to the point: without skipping a beat, he declared, “depression and anxiety.” I further pressed him for information regarding the underlying cause(s) of these illnesses; though not wishing to speculate, he stated that with the down-turned job market, there are fewer workers doing the task of what once were more, thus increasing workload, resulting in greater stress in the workplace.
He further expounded that substance abuse and addiction are, in his opinion, major issues within Calgary, Alberta, and the nation on a whole. He is also of the belief that mental illness rates have risen drastically in the preceding decade or two; however, a large portion of this increase is due to greater societal awareness and more effective diagnosing.
The author of this article, though never having dealt with a patient, mentally ill or otherwise, is of the opinion that addiction certainly plays a major role in the apparent increase in the number of mentally unsound Calgarians; though we must be cautious when defining this word: addiction.
And we must ask if it is possible, that in this digital age, an overload of information could be placing greater stress on each individual mind? I certainly don’t want to downgrade the significance of substance abuse in Calgary, it is as obvious as the innumerable homeless men and women mournfully scattered across the proud face of our city centre, residing in the unseen yet nearby shadow of our highest urban peak, the windswept Nose Hill.
But in my jogging beneath the shadows of our downtown core’s tall-standing structures this warm, sunny afternoon, one societal phenomenon stood prominently above all others, a phenomenon that is new and untried in a historical sense; and that is, the faces of the masses buried deep within the screens of their cellphones and with advertising abounding, online and offline, maybe we are being lured into a psychological realm that at its heart cares nothing for the mind, but one that exists primarily for profit.
Humans are not naturally digital creatures; and when living in a world of digits, bits and bytes, numbers on paper and in bank accounts, and flashing dollar signs, perhaps we are misusing our minds, like the skilled craftsman who, in want of a screwdriver, applies his utility knife to the job at hand, resulting in the dulling or snapping of his blade. Such existential questions are far beyond the scope of the mind of this writer.
But one thing that remains evident is, from whichever angle we view this foggy and confusing issue, the significant overall societal prevalence of mental illness cannot be denied. The unanswered question remains, from what source(s) does it stem; only once we are capable of answering this question, will we be able to solve the problem.
Read more stories on Todayville Calgary.
Alberta
Scotia Place – Calgary unveils design for new arena / events centre
News release from the City of Calgary
Scotia Place, Calgary’s new event centre, designed as a place for community where there is room for everyone
The City of Calgary and Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) are excited to reveal the design for Calgary’s new event centre – formally named Scotia Place.
The design is influenced by the ancestral and historical land of Indigenous Peoples and the culturally significant site that embodies our shared purpose – to gather. It brings together Indigenous cultural perspectives with Calgary’s and the region’s natural beauty, reflecting the four elements of nature – fire, ice, land and air.
A striking feature of the building is the central structure with a textured flame motif that emulates a home fire, which is further amplified when it is lit at night. The home fire, a place of warmth and energy that brings people together to share stories of the past and create stories for the future, rises from the white, glacial-like forms that define the lower parts of the building.
“When you consider that Calgary is already the envy of other cities with a new world-class convention centre in the heart of the Culture + Entertainment District, the addition of Scotia Place is another signal to investors that our city understands how to build a future that leverages hospitality and hosting as its core strengths,” says Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “We are also acknowledging and honouring the foundational role that Indigenous communities have played for generations in making Calgary, and now Scotia Place, a space where we all belong.”
Scotia Place, which is scheduled to open in fall 2027, celebrates the area’s importance as a place for all and will be a landmark attraction in Calgary’s emerging Culture + Entertainment District. More than a building, however, the 10-acre city block is designed for community and connection and includes a community rink, outdoor and indoor plazas spaces, four restaurants, the Calgary Flames Team Store, and future development opportunity in the northeast corner. It will provide gathering places and amenities for the 8,000 people who will live in this new downtown neighbourhood.
“Calgary has a long history of hosting world-class events, drawing millions of visitors to the city each year, generating revenue for local businesses, and boosting the economy,” says Danielle Smith, Premier of the Province of Alberta. “With construction on the Calgary Rivers District and Event Centre now underway, Calgary is one step closer to a revitalized downtown that will bring new energy into the city, attract more exciting events, and create jobs to improve the quality of life for Calgarians.”
A development permit application for the facility was submitted on July 19, 2024. This was a significant milestone for the project team, consisting of CAA ICON, HOK-DIALOG, and CANA/Mortenson. People interested in following or commenting on the permit can find the application at Calgary.ca/dmap. The application is expected to be heard by the Calgary Planning Commission by end of 2024.
“This is an important day for Calgary,” says Councillor Sonya Sharp, Event Centre Committee Chair. “Today is about so much more than the designs of a building. Today is the unveiling of a place where Calgarians and visitors from around the world will make memories at concerts, and sport and community events. I hope that everyone is as excited as we are, knowing that Scotia Place will become the complete experience in our new Culture & Entertainment District.”
“At CSEC, a key component of our mission is to be the heartbeat of our community, create connections and bring people together,” said Robert Hayes, CSEC President and CEO. “Scotia Place will become the perfect home to achieve and share this mission with all Calgarians. Seeing the design brings the vision of so many contributors to life. We are especially thankful to the City of Calgary and the Province of Alberta for their leadership and support to help bring us to this point. In stride with our partner Scotiabank, we are very proud to play our role in presenting Scotia Place as the culmination of diligence and passion, that is now visual in this breathtakingly beautiful and meaningful facility.”
“For years we have seen firsthand the value these partnerships bring to the communities in which we operate and for our clients,” said Aris Bogdaneris, Group Head, Canadian Banking of Scotiabank. “Scotia Place introduces a bold new vision for what will be Alberta’s premier sports and entertainment venue. For nearly 20 years, Scotiabank has been a proud partner of Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation and together, we are committed to bring fans and our clients an unforgettable experience when they walk through the doors of Scotia Place.”
“We are excited to start the construction of the critical infrastructure needed to build thousands of new homes and to make the Calgary’s new Culture + Entertainment district a reality,” says Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors. “Albertans expect basic infrastructure to be maintained and improved and this commitment from the province goes a long way in helping Calgary build these projects.”
Acknowledging the significance of the building’s location at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers on the ancestral land of the Treaty 7 Peoples and the Metis Nation, The City, CSEC, HOK-DIALOG and CAA ICON worked with an Indigenous Advisory Group that included representatives from the Treaty 7 Nations, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, and the Urban Indigenous community throughout the design process.
“It was great to be part of a truly representative voice that included all indigenous peoples of southern Alberta regarding the design of this center acknowledging the historic significance of the land it sits on to the Metis people,” said Carmen Lasante Captain of the Calgary Elbow Metis District. “Inclusivity is a core part of who the Metis are. The City has worked hard to include many diverse histories together in creating this space.”
“Engaging in the right way is fundamental to the success of relationship development with the Indigenous communities, as we have played a critical role in the identity of the land now known as the city of Calgary as the Indigenous nations are inextricable linked to the landscape and environment,” says Ira Provost, Piikani Nation Consultation
A key theme heard often during the Indigenous engagement sessions was “Come in, there is room”, making it clear that Scotia Place needs to be a place that is designed for all.
The public plazas are designed to honour the deep-rooted connection that Indigenous Peoples have with the land, incorporating representations of the tipi, Métis Trapper’s Tent, and elements of Alberta’s world-renown natural landscape.
An important design decision was to lower the event and ice surface so that the primary concourse will be at street-level. Calgarians and visitors will be able to move seamlessly between the curb, the primary concourse and the outdoor public plazas.
“We at DIALOG are thrilled to join forces with HOK and combine our unique expertise to transform Calgary’s Event Centre into the catalyst for a dynamic new urban community,” says Doug Cinnamon, Partner Architect at DIALOG.
“Other design principles including public realm activation, the integration of indigenous influences, public art & storytelling, sustainability, and a balance between past, present, and future is central to our vision. The ultimate goal is to ensure seamless accessibility, promote mixed uses, and create vibrant public areas for everyone to enjoy. This joint redesign represents an opportunity to spur investment into the area and enhance its cultural vitality, anchoring Calgary’s position as a thriving, bustling community hub.”
Scotia Place is a generational investment in Calgary’s emerging vibrant Culture + Entertainment District. A modern event centre with universal accessible design throughout and with energy and water conservation built in to maximize efficiencies and the ability to be net-zero by 2050, Scotia place is designed to serve Calgary’s growing community for decades to come.
Construction begins this week. Additional information about Scotia Place including design renderings, a video, and frequently asked questions is available on Calgary.ca/ScotiaPlace.
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