Calgary's Wellness Roadmap: How National Data Informs Local Action
Unpacking Canadian Wellness Trends
A recent Ipsos "Future of Wellness" study, featuring exclusive Canadian data, offers critical insights into the evolving landscape of well-being, resonating deeply within Calgary’s proactive community efforts. Presented by Diane Ridgway-Cross of Ipsos Strategy3 Canada, the "What the Future: Wellness – Canadian Edition" report explores wellness transformation beyond traditional healthcare, impacting sectors like food, retail, travel, and technology. Expert voices from Maple, Kids Help Phone, and TELUS Health contributed to the study's comprehensive perspective.
Calgary's Strategic Response to Mental Health
These national findings bolster Calgary’s own robust approach. City Council’s "Calgary's Mental Health and Addiction Strategy," endorsed in March 2021, is a Canadian first, strengthening support for Calgarians. Alongside its Social Wellbeing Policy (CP2019-01) and Advisory Committee, the city acts as a vital data steward and investor, with ongoing funding through 2025 ensuring programs impact residents’ well-being.
Addressing Urgent Local Needs
The urgency for these initiatives is evident: a 2024 City report found over half of Calgarians felt they needed mental health care, with one-third reporting their mental health as fair or poor. Younger demographics, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are disproportionately affected, compounded by economic pressures like the cost of living. Studies like Ipsos’s are crucial for guiding local interventions and long-term planning, as articulated in the "Guidebook for Great Communities" principle of "Health & Wellness."
