A Multicenter Study of Short-Term Changes in Mental Health Emergency Services Use During Lockdown in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown measures have led to increasing mental health concerns in the general population. We aimed to assess the short-term impact of the pandemic lockdown on mental health emergency services use in the Kitchener-Waterloo region of Ontario, Canada. Methods We conducted an observational study during the 6-month period between March 5 and September 5, 2020 using National Ambulatory Care Reporting System metadata from mental health visits to three regional Emergency Departments (ED); mental health and substance related police calls; and calls to a regional mental health crisis telephone line, comparing volumes during the pandemic lockdown with the same period in 2019. Poisson regressions were used to determine significant differences between numbers of each visit or call type during the lockdown period versus the previous year. Results Involuntary admissions, substance related visits, mood related visits, situational crisis visits, and self-harm related mental health visits to the EDs were significantly reduced during the lockdown period compared to the year before. Psychosis-related and alcohol-related visits were not significantly reduced. Among police calls, suicide attempts were significantly decreased during the period of lockdown, but intoxication, assault, and domestic disputes were not significantly different. Mental health crisis telephone calls were significantly decreased during the lockdown period. Conclusions Contrary to our hypothesis, the decrease in most types of mental health ED visits, mental health and substance-related police calls, and mental health crisis calls largely mirrored the overall decline in emergency services usage during the lockdown period. This finding is unexpected in the context of increased attention to acutely deteriorating mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From “Big Small Town” to “Small Big City”: Resident Experiences of Gentrification along Waterloo Region’s LRT Corridor

Most studies of transit-induced gentrification rely on statistical analysis that measures the extent to which gentrification is occurring. To extend and enhance our knowledge of its impact, we conducted sixty-five interviews with residents living along the light rail transit (LRT) corridor in Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, shortly before the system opened. There was already strong evidence of gentrification, with more than $3 billion (Canadian dollars) worth of investment, largely in condominiums, before a single passenger was carried. In line with contemporary critical conceptualizations of gentrification, our interviews identified new and complex psychological, phenomenological, and experiential aspects of gentrification, in addition to economic- or class-based changes.

Making Canada Home: Snapshots of Syrian and Iraqi Newcomer Cultural Production in the Waterloo Region, 2016-2019

Since the beginning of the Syrian Crisis in 2011, millions of refugees from Syria and Iraq have been displaced. Over 25,000 Syrian newcomers settled in Canada between 2015 and 2016.1 The Region of Waterloo, home to a population of approximately 535,000 by 2016,2 was where about 2,000 of these newcomers settled.3 This article argues that these newcomers have used arts and culture to navigate the difficulties of settlement and acculturation. Evidence from newspaper articles, interviews, and participant observation indicates that refugees from Syria and Iraq in this region have utilized dance and theatre to develop community that retains cultural connections and identity linked with Syria and the greater Levantine region. Professional and community arts initiatives spearheaded by refugees showcase how culture and identity are caught up in continuous circulations of culture that are geographically situated in the Canadian context. For Syrian and Iraqi refugees in the Waterloo Region, acculturation, nostalgia, and assimilation are complex and powerful sites of community.

Barriers to Calling 9-1-1 during Overdose Emergencies in a Canadian Context

Research has shown there are notable barriers to calling 9-1-1 during accidental overdose emergencies. Overdose is a significant health and social justice concern, yet Canadian researchers have not explored the existence or prevalence of these systemic obstacles. The current case study examines the barriers to calling 9-1-1 that people face in Southern Ontario when confronted with accidental overdose incidents. The locality of this study is particularly suitable as Wellington County, that is, Waterloo Region and Guelph are socio-demographically similar to Ontario and Canada. Barriers were assessed by surveying individuals that have or currently use drugs (n=291) and are clients of local methadone clinics or outreach services. Data were explored using frequency tables and then compared using crosstabulations. The findings of this case study suggest there are multiple barriers to calling 9-1-1 during accidental drug overdoses. Similar to previous studies, the most common barriers cited were fear of being arrested (53%), breaching probation or parole (30%), and fear of losing custody of children (24%). Lowering the barriers to calling 9-1-1 may help to forge the path necessary to improved health care and access to resources. Ultimately, and most importantly, lives may be saved.

The seniors boom and economic repercussions: Waterloo Region economic development opportunities for growth in an aging society

<p>The population in Canada is aging, and even the ‘Silicon Valley of the North’ Waterloo Region is no exception. Aging societies can have a positive impact on the Economy; however, proper policies and programs must be in place in order to thrive through the peak of the Baby Boom retirement wave in 2026. This paper discusses research and recommendations from literature reviews and best practices found among municipalities regarding methods to thrive in an aging society. It is hoped that this paper will aid economic developers and supporting organizations to prepare for the impending age shift through adapting new employment, service, and built environment policies and programs. Adapting economic development now may prevent future economic downturns due to changes in work, lifestyle, and spending habits that are expected throughout the aging and retirement of the baby boom generation. </p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Older adults, senior, caregiver, age friendly, anti-aging, adaptive employment</p>

Reflections of a CSL Groupie

The Volunteer Action Centre has been an active supporter of community service-learning and other forms or community-engaged scholarship in partnership with three large post-secondary institutions in Waterloo Region. Over the years, staff have connected with local and national projects to enhance our understanding of engaged scholarship and try to translate that knowledge to benefit our community. This article explores the personal reflections of a community partner/broker. The author has a high level of respect for the institutions that connect their students, faculty, and staff with the community of which they are a part, but also has experienced some of the challenges of bureaucracy. This reflection attempts to share some of the ground-breaking work of local community-post-secondary partnerships while acknowledging some of the very real challenges of this kind of shared work.