Nathaniel Schmidt

Yes

Interview Response:

He emphasized experience as lawyer of those "falling through the cracks." He would like to focus on the next council developing a new mental health strategy. He would like a public health approach to policing and emergency services, i.e. PACS teams like in Glasgow, Scotland. He is committed to working with different orders of government to provide mental health supports.

Survey Response:

Miguel Cortines

Yes

Interview Response:

He supports community-based mental health, including providing more appropriate spaces for homeless population with supports and treatment. He noted the importance of events to build community. He would work with other levels of government to provide education and work with people with disabilities.

Survey Response:

Mental health is a very important issue in our society. We need to be sure of creating programs and activities that allow people to be active. Participate in cultural activities, educational workshops, festivals, seminars, etc. We need to be creative in finding ways that people can feel productive. We need to motivate people to go out and participate in community activities so their minds are busy in positive thoughts. We need to involve different groups including professional associations, cultural groups, multicultural groups, language schools. We can create a mosaic of opportunities.

Kent Hehr:

Yes

Interview Response:

Kent would like to develop community hubs in the model suggested by the Calgary Alliance. We need points of connection, ie another C-Space downtown. There needs to be funding for a strategic plan for youth. We need to formalizing round-table city wide for community organizations serving vulnerable Calgarians.

Survey Response:

Kent believes in an inclusive city that supports mental health through partnerships with support organizations, including targeted programs to provide support to vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, new Canadians, and Indigenous people, and the development of third spaces to ensure Calgarians have places to connect. One element of Kent’s plan is to expand civic partnerships with third party support organizations to ensure plans are developed that best support preventative mental health services for all Calgarians. To achieve this, Kent plans to implement a mental health roundtable with organizations focused on mental health supports and representing underrepresented communities such as people with disabilities, new Canadians, and Indigenous people. The Alliance for the Common Good would be among the organizations invited to participate. Kent also believes that providing free and accessible spaces (third spaces) for people to connect is an essential element of improving mental health in Calgary. He plans to ensure the City of Calgary allocates funding to the development of third spaces with the aim of building community and fostering connections.

Josie Kirkpatrick

Yes

Survey Response:

Through teaching, I have experienced and learned about many different cultures and their communities. I have spent time teaching in Taiwan, Brooks and Canmore Alberta, as well as many other communities in Calgary’s Ward 8, including Killarney, Rosscarrock, Elboya, Mission and Elbow Park. I support the idea of involving community representatives and strategy leadership teams to ensure initiatives include the voices of community members, especially of those most affected. I am committed to collaborating to further develop a comprehensive, community-based preventative, mental health strategy that focusses on cultural relevance, evidence-based approaches and meaningful community engagement. I would prioritize preventative measures when addressing mental health concerns in the community by securing funding and resources while advocating for dedicated funding streams to support those that need it most. I would also create and support the implementation of community driven, culturally supportive mental health initiatives focused on successful outcomes for those involved, including caregivers.

I will prioritize treatment, resources, support systems, education and low-income housing close to public transit that is government subsidized and strategically placed to create community and house those that are so desperately in need of care.