Responding to Mental Health Crises

Double-storying Hope and Despair

An online conversation with Rachel Bromberg and Asante Haughton (co-founders of Reach Out Response Network)  

 

As mental health advocates, Rachel and Asante have been working on an alternative to police intervention in Toronto when someone is in a crisis. They pose an important question ‘Do you think Toronto needs a non-police mental health emergency service, led by clinicians and peer workers from the communities they serve? Read The Star August 3^, 2020 article to learn more.

Using the narrative practice of double-listening Angel Yuen will interview Asante and Rachel about their personal and work experiences of responding to mental health crises. Double-storied accounts will be brought forth – i.e. where there are stories of despair and struggle there also are stories of values, hopes for helping others, survival and resistance.

Following the conversation with Angel, Rachel and Asante, reflections (a.k.a. retellings) will be offered by outsider witnesses. Click here to learn about Outsider Witness practices.

This online event via Zoom will be relevant to service providers who are working alongside persons experiencing mental health difficulties. It will also be of interest to peer support workers in other parts of the globe seeking an alternative to police involvement in mental health emergencies.

About Rachel and Asante…

Rachel Bromberg is the Canadian National Coordinator of the International Mobile Services Association, which is a service providers’ network connecting individuals across Canada and the United States who are building civilian-led mobile crisis services in their communities. Rachel is a member of the Toronto Regional Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s Constituency Council. She is currently completing a dual degree in law and social work (JD/MSW), and she has been working as a peer supporter and peer educator for the past seven years at organizations such as Stella’s Place, CAMH, Planned Parenthood, the LGBT Youth Line, and the Canadian Suicide Prevention Service. Currently, Rachel is doing a summer internship with the CAMH Legal Department.

Rachel’s personal and professional experiences have catalyzed a deep interest in and passion for community-led mobile crisis services. She is invested in leading the way in a paradigm shift away from police response to mental health crisis towards a truly anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, community-based, and client-centred response that will promote individuals’ dignity, autonomy, self-determination, and resilience. When Rachel isn’t planning transformative systems change or world domination, she enjoys reading, Pilates, running at the beach, and spending time with her adorable (and incredibly assertive) six-year-old sister.

Passionate about social justice and equity, Asante Haughton is a national award winning mental health advocate dedicated to endeavours aimed at building stronger communities. He is a peer worker, poet, thinker and speaker who believes in people, global inter-connectivity, and positive personal change.

Asante’s peer work has brought him across Canada, to the United States, Colombia and most recently, Ireland. Asante has also made noise as a two-time TEDx speaker and he was recognized by CAMH as one of the top 150 Difference Makers in mental health in Canada. Finally, Asante was featured in the most recent Bell Let’s Talk prime time documentary special.

When not trying to save the world, Asante can be found laughing at his own jokes, Netflix’ing, checking his fantasy football stats, watching cartoons, and being frustrated with Toronto sports teams. Though Asante can be pretty laid back, he is loud about his advocacy and drive for change as he aims to deliver a message of social awareness, justice, community betterment, and above all, hope.

Learn more about the Reach Out Response Network here

This online event will be on Zoom and please note that the video conversation will be recorded. If you are unable to join the Zoom meeting on October 2, 2020 we will be announcing two future dates to view the pre-recorded video at a nominal cost.