Students from W.H. Croxford High School and the generosity of an Airdrie energy company have provided the strong community support needed for the Airdrie Health Foundation to keep moving health care forward in the city.  

The foundation has announced that it is fully funded to complete the renovation of a safe mental health assessment space within Airdrie Urgent Care.  Earlier this month students from W.H. Croxford presented a cheque for $5,124 to the foundation, funds raised by the school's 'Movement for Mental Health' initiative.  The students have raised funds for the past two years, in 2019 raising nearly $24,000 and raising this year's total prior to the pandemic cutting the event short.

Airdrie-based TC Energy also stepped in to help make the renovation project a reality with a donation of $22,800.

The Executive Director of the Airdrie Health Foundation, Michelle Bates is extremely thankful for the community support.  She says the renovation of an existing room at Urgent Care will not only mean they now have another bed for the facility, it will also mean that mental health assessments will be much safer for both the staff and the patients.

Bates explains that mental health assessments can take up to 90 minutes to complete. "If there's potential for harm to yourself or someone else, right now there's no spot in the facility that gives a direct eye to other people in the facility to help.  This will be a room that will be safer for patients and for staff if the need arises and, at the same time, adding a spot to Urgent Care."

Bates hopes that renovations can begin soon but it will depend on the pandemic.  

The students from W.H. Croxford are glad they could help with a much-needed community facility, particularly one dealing with mental health.  One of the organizers of the Movement for Mental Health, Mattias Wall says, "To me, this fundraiser means so much more than the planning.  As someone who struggles with mental health, it feels amazing seeing our community come together and help raise awareness and money while having an amazing time.  It really means the most seeing this togetherness in action."

Ty Boese, another Team Member adds, "I believe it is important for everyone to feel safe, welcome and happy at all times and sometimes that can be hard for people with mental health issues.  Movement for Mental Health also gives ordinary high school students a chance to be part of something bigger than themselves and have an impact on our community."

When the renovation of the room is complete it will be named 'Lane's Room' in memory of Michelle and Jeff Bates' five-year-old son who passed away suddenly in 2009 and was the impetus for the formation of the Airdrie Health Foundation.

"We didn't have the health care that we needed when we needed it 11 years ago," says Bates.  "One of my goals is to make sure we have the health care we need when we need it and you never know what you need until you need it, unfortunately."

Over the years the foundation has been responsible for the implementation of 24-hour urgent care in the community along with securing equipment such as a glidescope, a handheld ultrasound machine, a crash cart, and much more.

Resources available for mental health support in Airdrie:

  • Addiction and Mental Health Services - 403-948-3878
  • Access Mental Health - 403-943-1500
  • Airdrie Urgent Care has urgent mental health care walk-in available. Walk-in counselling hours M-F 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Community Links offers counselling services – 403-945-3900

For more information on the community impact of the Airdrie Health Foundation, you can visit their website HERE. 

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