At the Reach Out Response Network, we believe that mental health crisis response systems should be designed by communities, for communities.
We know that centering lived experience is the most critical part of finding solutions that work for any community. That’s why we’re working to support our communities as we all work towards the creation of civilian-led mobile crisis response teams in Toronto (and beyond!), as well as the end of coercive, forceful police-led crisis interventions.
The recent unanimous vote in Toronto’s city council to approve the development of civilian-led mobile crisis response pilots showed us the first glimpse of our collective potential. This was a hard-won, historic victory shared by many!
At the same time, we recognize that more opportunities for life-saving changes in our communities lie ahead. That’s why the Reach Out Response Network is currently in a period of transition where we’re restructuring, recentering, and continuing to explore new avenues for change-making.
Please keep checking our website, our socials, or our newsletter for more updates, and we look forward to unveiling “RORN 2.0” (coming soon to an summers’-end near you)!
Things are moving.
June 2019
Rachel Bromberg co-founds the International Mobile Services Association, a service providers network to connect folks building or leading civilian-led mobile crisis services in their communities.
June 2019-June 2020
Rachel Bromberg and Asante Haughton begin planning the Reach Out Response Network.
Rachel and Asante connect with folks all across the world building and leading mobile crisis services and learn about various models and best practices.
Rachel and Asante connect with stakeholders across Toronto to learn about existing local services and systems gaps.
June 2020
Rachel and Asante officially incorporate the Reach Out Response Network as a non-profit.
June 30, 2020
Toronto City Council votes to build a non-police mental health emergency service to respond to mental health crisis across Toronto and directs the City Manager’s office to develop an implementation plan to build this service.
July 2, 2020
Rachel and Asante publish an op-ed in the Toronto Star advocating for the creation of a clinician- and peer-led mental health emergency service, integrated into 911 dispatch.
July 2020
Rachel and Asante begin recruiting volunteers and connecting with City Councillors and other governmental officials.
Rachel and Asante connect with the City Manager’s office, the Toronto Police Services Board, and others who will be working on the implementation plan.
Rachel and Asante continue connecting with key stakeholders, including mental health organizations, hospital executives, organizations that serve individuals experiencing homelessness, and organizations that serve Black and Indigenous communities.
August 3, 2020
Rachel and Asante’s work is featured on the front page of the Toronto Star.
August 2020
Rachel and Asante hold ten town halls with over 350 community members to learn about what Torontonians would like to see in a new crisis service.
Rachel and Asante draft an official proposal to the City of Toronto.
Rachel and Asante work with volunteers to draft eight reports outlining various aspects of their proposal and summarizing the scholarly research on mobile crisis models.
Rachel and Asante build an Advisory Council of senior leadership in mental health, addiction, policing, and 911 dispatch.
September 2020
Rachel and Asante partner with a number of organizations to distribute a survey to individuals experiencing homelessness to learn about what they would like to see in a new crisis service.
Rachel and Asante build six advisory panels, including a service users panel, a peer workers panel, a service providers panel, a family members panel, a panel for Black communities, and a panel for Indigenous communities.
Rachel and Asante sign an official contract to partner with the City of Toronto.
October 2020
Rachel and Asante partner with the city to host an additional six town halls.
Rachel and Asante help the city develop an asset map of existing crisis services.
