On 31 March 2026, leaders from across policy, research, clinical practice, and innovation convened in Dublin for the Ireland Digital Mental Health Think Tank. This timely collaboration, led by the Department of Health (Ireland), the Health Service Executive (HSE), and the eMental Health International Collaborative (eMHIC), brought together international perspectives to explore the future of digital mental health at both national and global levels.

The Think Tank created space for meaningful dialogue across key areas shaping the sector, including systems policy and navigation, suicide and self-harm reduction, the impact of social media on young people, the role of artificial intelligence in mental health, and the evolution of community-based care. Expertly chaired by Philip Dodd, the session featured contributions from a distinguished group of international leaders, including Charles Curie, Kevin Kelly, Fran Thompson, Derek Chambers, Paul Longmore, Conor Kennedy PhD, Dr Ruth Melia, and Catherine Gibson, among others. Their collective insights highlighted both shared challenges and emerging opportunities for scalable, person-centred digital solutions.

A central focus of the discussion was Ireland’s strategic direction, particularly Sharing the Vision: Digital Mental Health Strategy for Ireland 2026–2030 and the AI Strategy for Healthcare in Ireland 2026–2030. These frameworks reflect a strong, politically supported commitment to transforming mental health systems through digital innovation, integration, and evidence-based approaches.

Ireland’s leadership in this space is further underscored by its upcoming EU Council presidency, alongside Lithuania and Greece, positioning the country to influence digital mental health priorities on a broader European and global stage.

In recognition of this progress and leadership, eMHIC is pleased to announce the appointment of the Health Service Executive as Chair of the Digital Mental Health Strategy and Policy section within the eMHIC Collaborative Learning Hub. This partnership will support ongoing knowledge exchange, strengthen international collaboration, and contribute to scaling effective digital mental health implementation worldwide.

The Think Tank marks an important step forward in aligning strategy, practice, and innovation, reinforcing the value of global collaboration in advancing equitable and impactful mental health systems.