Today I had a meeting with the Executive Director of “The International Crisis Response Association”. Rachel is a Mental Health Advocate and the driving force behind the “non police crisis team” pilot project which launched in 4 regions of Toronto in early 2022. Both Peel and Durham regions are actively working toward joining the program.
Rachel and I were recently connected by a mutual friend and fellow advocate.
The project’s main goal is to be an alternative model of crisis response and provide community led solutions to mental health crisis calls and wellness checks.
Since its conception, 911 has successfully diverted 78 percent of their crisis calls to their 211 team of mental health professionals like social workers and nurses who are sent out right away to de-esculate a situation with no police involvement whatsoever. They are there to provide the individuals with proper resources and support; with less than 10 percent of incidences ever resulting in a trip to the hospital.
For someone like myself who was recently traumatized by an unnecessary police presence in my home during a mental health crisis which resulted in me being handcuffed and taken to the emergency room in a police cruiser and being treated like I was a criminal, I can tell you what a relief it is to know that this program exists and is making a difference; not to mention saving valuable police resources and money.
The reason for our meeting today was to discuss with Rachel the next steps that need to be taken in order to now try and get York Region on board as well with this amazing and much needed pilot project. I live in York Region.
First she needs to find out whether or not the Police Service Board or City Council have yet made a motion or if by some miracle, it’s already been passed 🙏. If not, the first step will be to get it on their Agenda ASAP. It shouldn’t be a hard sell…we hope!
The reason our mutual friend connected us was because we both have experienced our broken healthcare system and we both find advocacy work so empowering. Rachel asked me if I would be willing to go before City Council and pehaps the Police Service Board as well if necessary, to share my story. I said yes right away!
Ironically I also finally received a follow up email today from the “Office Of The Independent Review Board” from the letter I wrote to the Complaints of Policies and Procedures Department of the York Regional Police last month following the incident that took place in my home (in case you missed it, click here; https://wheredidmommyssmilego.com/2023/01/21/i-need-to-be-that-voice/).
After reviewing my complaint they determined that it relates to a policy involving the York Regional Police Service (see pic attached). It sounds like it could take at least 2 more months until I hear anything more but any progress for change is a definite step in the right direction.
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YouAreEnough 