Washington, D.C. – July 29, 2025 – In a testament to the growing momentum behind technology-driven solutions for behavioral health, the eMental Health International Collaborative (eMHIC) concluded a landmark visit to the nation’s capital, where Executive Director Anil Thapliyal addressed the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) annual meeting. This prestigious event marked a pivotal moment, bringing together state-level leadership and global expertise to discuss the future of digital mental healthcare.
A National Dialogue on Innovation and Collaboration
The NASMHPD Annual Meeting provides a vital forum for leaders shaping mental health policy and services across the United States. This year’s gathering was especially significant, convening all 50 state mental health commissioners, their executive teams, and senior representatives from federal health authorities. Against this backdrop, eMHIC was privileged to share a global perspective, highlighting emerging trends and best practices for integrating digital tools and artificial intelligence into mental healthcare systems.
The dialogue featured valuable contributions from a wide array of distinguished leaders, including Dr. Arthur Kleinschmidt and Rear Admiral Christopher Jones of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Dr. Brian Sims of NASMHPD, and Representative Steve Eliason of the Utah House of Representatives. Other notable participants included Kana Enomoto of the McKinsey Health Institute, Nora Bock from the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and Justin Volpe, all of whom reinforced the urgent need for systemic change.
The Future of Mental Health: AI and Digital Tools
eMHIC’s participation culminated in a dedicated session on AI and Digital Mental Health on Tuesday, July 29th. The presentation, co-hosted with the Global Leadership Exchange (GLE), was led by a panel of experts including John Torous, MD MBI, Director of the Division of Digital Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Steve Appleton, President & CEO of GLE; and Afshin Khosravi, CEO of Trilogy Integrated Resources. The discussion provided an in-depth exploration of how technology can enhance access, improve outcomes, and foster a more connected and efficient mental healthcare ecosystem.
The collaborative spirit of the event was a powerful demonstration of a shared commitment to progress. The insightful questions and engaged feedback from the audience of state and federal leaders underscored their readiness to embrace these innovations.
A Collective Step Forward
The success of the NASMHPD meeting was made possible by the outstanding leadership of key individuals dedicated to advancing mental healthcare. A special thank you to Brian Hepburn, Barbara Bazron, Meighan Haupt, and Jessica Pollard for their vision and commitment in bringing these crucial conversations to the forefront.
This event is a testament to the power of collaboration between international organizations and national leaders. It signifies a collective step forward in a movement to not only address the current mental health crisis but also to build a sustainable, resilient, and technologically advanced system that serves all communities.
