Our Team

Dr. Ford-Jones is a Professor in Allied Health at Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning in Toronto, and an Adjunct Professor in the Paramedicine Collaborative at DFCM, University of Toronto. Her program of research explores emergency mental health needs in the community, including response to acute crisis, follow-up, and supportive prevention. Her research is rooted in critical, qualitative methodologies, and engages with issues of health equity and the social determinants of health. Dr. Ford-Jones’ frontline experience comes from work as a primary care paramedic in southern Ontario. 

Sheryl is a registered psychotherapist and social worker with over 15 years' experience. In addition to her clinical expertise, she serves as an interdisciplinary professor, and for the past 10 years has been imparting her knowledge in academia in Canada, and the United States. Sheryl is dedicated to incorporating Afrocentric and Indigenous practices into her work and teaching demonstrating a strong commitment to anti-racism.

Danielle is a Registered Social Worker who has spent her career working within the criminal justice and mental health sectors with youth, families and communities. Danielle has extensive experience and training in children’s mental health, youth justice, crisis response, trauma, restorative justice, mindfulness, and family relationships. Danielle has worked on the front lines including many years with a police service as a social worker and trainer. Danielle has taught across many diploma and degree programs at Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber focusing on mental health, addictions, community policing, diversity and community social services. Danielle remains passionate about the health and wellness of front-line workers and first responders. Danielle continues to teach at the post-secondary level and has clinical practice working with adolescents and adults.  

Simon's program of scholarship focuses on mental health--its various institutional and discursive dimensions, the consumer/survivor/mad experience, and alternative and counter-hegemonic ways of conceptualizing mental illness, suffering, and crisis. His work considers what is currently termed 'mental illness' as largely a product of social, economic, and political apparatuses, while examining how medicalization pathologizes what is often known as 'the human condition.' Simon works with various communities, including psychiatric survivors and psychiatric consumers/survivors, the mad community, and neurodivergent people.

Patrina's research grapples with issues related to race, racism, victimization and criminalization and is informed by critical race theory, critical race feminism and anti-racism. Dr. Duhaney has over 14 years of experience working as a social worker, counsellor and front-line worker. To center Black experiences and perspectives and confront anti-Black racism, Dr. Duhaney is actively involved in various initiatives within her university and community including chairing the Anti-Black Racism Task Force in her faculty and working with different organizations.

Chiemela comes to the project with a strong background in public health research, specializing in the social determinants of health and health equity. With over six years of invaluable experience in health research and as a public health officer, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field. Chiemela's journey in research and public health has been marked by a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the multifaceted factors that influence health outcomes in diverse populations.

Petra comes from a career in environmental management and has experience in community-based research and projects in different countries. Petra is using that experience to conduct research on how community experiences can inform best practices in Ontario for mental health emergency care.