Worry over Calgarians mental health amid spike in crime: expert

With a week of elevated violence in Calgary with stabbings, shootings and a murder-suicide, experts are worried about how it’s impacting the mental health of Calgarians, who are already struggling with inflation and rising cost of living.

After the Kensington shooting on April 12, addressing the media the next day, Calgary Police Chief Mark Neufeld said increased violence is being noted throughout Canada and is impacting mental health at large.

“All of us, when I talk to other police leaders across the country, we have all seen an increase in calls related to mental health. I think there has been a post-pandemic impact that I don’t know we fully understand, but it’s manifesting itself in public spaces around the country,” Neufeld said.

This unusual spike in crimes in The City of Calgary hasn’t gone unnoticed.

People have woken up to distressing news every day, something counsellors like Marcus Cheung are concerned about.

“When people are getting repeated news or events… that actually provokes a sense of uncertainty or triggers their insecurities and not feeling safe,” said Cheung.

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Cheung works as a counsellor and clinical supervisor at the Calgary Counselling Centre (CCC) and says he is seeing an increase in those seeking help.

“People might have a lot of questions, just questioning about whether or not we can actually feel safe at this time because of our surroundings,” he said.

Worried about the elevated violence, some Calgarians say it’s time for the city officials to step up and do the needful.

“I have to take the bus and train every day for work, and all I can think about is, what’s it gonna be like when my daughters are older and, what are my friends doing how are they?” said a Calgary mom, Vanessa Chen.

“And the shooting in Kensington that’s really close to where I grew up, a block away from my mom’s, and it was terrifying.”

Cridhe S., a Calgary student, says, “The mayor needs to step up.”

“She needs to put some mental health facilities in place. Mental health is a huge issue and affects everyone like me,” she said.

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Cheung says those feeling stress should immediately seek counselling, either online or through the CCC, while everyone else should keep an eye out for signs of distress and mental health deterioration among their family and friends.

“Noticing that your friends or your family members are becoming increasingly anxious, for example, that they are worried or they’re talking about the news all the time and tragic events all the time. These are some of the signs that we’re watching for,” Cheung explained.

“I think as a supportive family member or friend, a lot of listening, a lot of validation, a lot of letting them know that they’re not alone and they’re not the only ones feeling like that.”