City battles negativity, polarized attitudes with new initiative

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Noting recent cases of negativity and polarization of attitudes in Medicine Hat, city hall is moving to promote positivity with a new program.

Called “Choose,” the program will involve the posting of positive messages both around the city and online.

“Really we’re just looking at finding those people in the community that want to change the narrative and want to live in a community that has a more positive tone,” said Colleen Graham, the city’s corporate communications director.

Courtesy: City of Medicine Hat

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Graham says they’re hoping the new program will give positivity a boost among Hatters.

“We’re inviting residents to come visit our “Shape the City” website, share their stories of positivity, share their perspectives and we may turn around and share those messages as well.”

You might also notice one of the program’s new promotion tools.

“Throughout the city ,people are going to see decals on city facilities. They’re going to see decals on our city trails,” Graham said, noting the decals should start appearing this spring.

The city started working on the program late last year after noting some strong conflicting opinions on one issue in particular: “anything related to COVID, just different opinions on masking, vaccinations,” said Shona Dickie, manager of community supports for the city.

And the flow of negativity wasn’t just seen by the city on social media.

“You have friends and family members you don’t always agree with 100 per cent. And so we saw that,” Dickie said.

Courtesy: City of Medicine Hat

The “Choose” program is the latest tool to uplift mental health in Medicine Hat, following a rise in suicides in 2020. The Roots of Hope program came to the Hat late last year geared towards preventing suicides.

And the Canadian Mental Health Association is happy to see any new initiative to help Hatters.

“One of the things about positivity is you can never really have too much of it, right?,” said Sandra Milne, the executive director of the CMHA’s southeast region, “And so I love the messaging that’s going around our city.”

Milne says more initiatives are in the works, such as the “Paint the City Positive” program in late April.

“People will be able to pick up sidewalk chalk throughout the city and they’ll be able to use all the pathways to paint positive messages and pictures.”

And expect some notable Medicine Hatters to share their positive messages as part of the city’s new “Choose” program.

The mayor and council are among those who will post on the website soon.