Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann shares own struggle with depression, after troubled Calgarian's shooting

Alberta Liberal Party LeaderDavid Swannis speaking out about his own paststruggle with depression, calling for a reduction in thestigma around mental illness after aCalgary man with a troubled mindwas shot in a confrontationwithpolice.

The Calgary MLA had already released a statement Monday aboutDavidMcQueen, who was killed Sunday aftera standoff that started when police responded to shots fired at neighbouring homes and a bus.In it, Swann said McQueen had "reached out frequently" to his constituency office and says the man "was suffering from an obvious, and serious, mental illness."

On Tuesday, Swann went further, sharing his personal struggle in an interview withCBC Calgary'sThe Homestretchto help highlight how widespread mental illness is.

"Many of us, including myself, have gone through serious depressive illness. There are times when all of us struggle with life," saidSwann, a medical doctor who recently co-chaired aprovincialmental health review under government review.

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Swann said family support, his church community and friends helpedhim through whathe describedas a "tremendously dark time"over the course of a year and a half.

"It's by the grace of God andpeople around me that I was able to do [that]."

He hopes coming forward doesn't increase fear,stigma orshame, but instead movesAlbertans to be more vigilant in the face of mental illness.

"Mental illness is part of life, and physical illness ispart of life. There should be no blame or judgment attached to it."

Swann surprised by Sunday's violence

Swann saidhis office had been contacted by McQueen over the past year,but that he wassurprised by Sunday's outcome.

He saidthere were never signsof aggressionor a willingness to hurt others.

"My condolences go to his family.They've had a very challenging number of yearsvery difficult time now," Swann said.

McQueen had beenreferred to the distress centre on a few occasions, he said.

Swann has suggested a thorough fatality inquiry.

More mental health services needed, Swann says

"There seems to be more stress and distress in our society," said Swann.

Access to mental health service are in need of serious attention, he said, adding that wait times to see apsychiatrist can be a year long and mishandled interventions inchildhood can have grave consequences in adulthood.

Swann is also calling on Albertans to do their part.

"We're all connected. We all need to try to be there for eachotherand if there are ways we can identify risks ourselves as friends, family, community members, and be courageous in calling if you see signs of risk," said Swann.

He says only sixper centof Alberta's total health budget is spent on mental health.

"We need to do better."

The Alberta health minister is expected to offer recommendations based on the mental-health review that Swann co-chairedin early February.