eMHIC’s Executive Director, Professor Anil Thapliyal has recently completed an extensive international trip which included Canada and the U.S., where he co-hosted three incredibly successful Roundtable events filled with inspiring conversations and an invaluable exchange of resources and insights.
Edmonton Roundtable: Community Engagement and Response
The Edmonton Roundtable (pictured above) focused on galvanizing community engagement and enabling a community-led response, bringing together key provincial, national, and international organizations, including Alberta Health Services, the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and the eMental Health International Collaborative (eMHIC).
The energy at the Roundtable was palpable, with notable contributions from voices of lived experience, including Jenna Galloway and Patricia Deegan and experts like Dr. Lyle Oberg, Chair of Alberta Health Services. Presentations from Justin Scaini of Kids Help Phone, Sunil Rajput, PhD of Alberta Innovates, Michel Rodrigue, MBA, CPA, CMA, Russ Greiner of the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), Giri Puligandla of the CMHA, and other distinguished professionals underscored the potential of emerging digital technologies to improve access to mental health care, support, and treatment.
The discussions focused on three key areas:
- Government Facilitation: How can the government integrate DMH solutions into existing mental health and psychosocial support services, ensuring seamless coordination and collaboration across the wider ecosystem?
- Design by Lived Experience: How do we ensure that DMH solutions are designed by and for people with lived experience?
- Collaborative Opportunities: Exploring potential opportunities for provincial, national, and international collaboration to further Alberta’s aims
The Roundtable highlighted Alberta’s leadership in digital mental health, built on a robust evidence base, consumer engagement, and solid infrastructure.
Vancouver Roundtable: A Kaleidoscope of Digital Mental Health (DMH)
The Vancouver Roundtable brought together the First Nations Health Authority, lived experience leaders, and the B.C. Ministry of Health, and other key stakeholders. The event underscored the collective hope to unlock the potential of the digital mental health ecosystem to improve access to mental health care and support.
Discussions centered on best practices in DMH to address workforce capacity constraints and innovative approaches to increase access to mental health support in remote and rural communities. Delegates also deliberated on co-design, equity, systemic change, policy, strategy, collaboration, and implementation for impact.
The consensus from the Vancouver Roundtable was clear. There is a willingness to embrace consumer expectations and embark on significant changes through innovative approaches, cross-sector collaboration, and a commitment to prompt implementation. eMHIC proudly facilitated these critical conversations, emphasizing the need for a well-designed digital mental health landscape.
Indiana Roundtable: Best Practice Exemplars in Action
The Indiana Roundtable on Digital Mental Health Strategy and Implementation, held at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis, highlighted the unprecedented demand for mental health services and the need for innovative solutions. Jay Chaudhary, Director of the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, encapsulated the event’s spirit by calling for a paradigm shift in mental health care.
Compelling presentations from Glen Moriarty, Laura Tully, Ph.D., Michel Rodrigue, MBA, CPA, CMA, and others showcased how access challenges, capacity constraints, workforce burnout, stigma, mental health literacy, and geographical barriers are being addressed through sustainable and scalable DMH solutions.
Key deliberations included:
- Integration of DMH Solutions: How can these solutions be integrated into the wider mental health and psychosocial support ecosystem?
- Workforce Capacity: Leveraging digital mental health to bridge gaps in workforce capacity and increase access to care in remote and rural communities.
- Government Facilitation: Effective integration of DMH solutions into existing services.
- Design by Lived Experience: Ensuring DMH solutions are designed by and for those with lived experience.
The Indiana Roundtable, expertly facilitated by Charles Curie, reinforced the importance of visionary leadership and collaborative efforts in advancing digital mental health.
Join the Global Movement
eMHIC is leading a global movement in digital mental health. If you are interested in building capacity in mental health, join us at the 9th Digital Mental Health International Congress on September 19-20, 2024, in Ottawa, Canada.
Register here >> https://events.emhicglobal.com/register/
