More effective ways to respond to mental health crises: A Conversation with Asante Haughton and Rachel Bromberg

On this episode of Appointed, in the wake of calls to Defund the Police, Kim speaks with Asante Haughton and Rachel Bromberg, two mental health advocates and the founders of “Reach Out Response Network,” about shifting mental health responses to an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed model. Kim, Asante and Rachel discuss how current approaches to mental health crises may discourage people from getting help; the ways in which different countries have chosen to respond to mental health crises; and the roles that discrimination, poverty and racism play in how we respond to mental health in Canada. This episode was recorded on January 8th, 2021. Stay tuned for the next episode of Appointed! Reach out Response Network is dedicated to shifting mental health crisis response away from coercive, forceful, police led interventions and instead looks at a more anti-oppressive, trauma-informed model that allows people to be treated in a more caring and compassionate way. Asante Haughton is an award-winning mental health advocate, a peer worker, poet and speaker. Rachel Bromberg is a law student. Trained in social work, she is also a peer supporter and educator. You can read more about our guests here: https://reachouttoronto.ca/about Resources mentioned during the show and further reading: Learn more about the Reach out Response Network here: https://reachouttoronto.ca/ Asante’s Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/asante_houghton_an_uncommon_story_of_hope_and_redemption_jan_2018 Read Senator Pate’s perspective on guaranteed livable income: https://sencanada.ca/media/366455/senpate_glibi-perspective-document_08-15-2020_e.pdf https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7j7aa/officers-targeted-racialized-canadians-when-enforcing-covid-19-rules-report https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/07/09/calls-for-police-reform-shine-spotlight-on-oregon-model-for-crisis-intervention/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/defund-police-mental-health-crisis-intervention-1.5608627#:~:text=Through%20CAHOOTS%2C%20medical%20professional%20and,they%20can%20get%20additional%20support