On Monday, 12 May 2025, Dublin played host to a pivotal international roundtable that signaled Ireland’s rising influence on the global stage of digital mental health.
The high-level event—jointly convened by the Department of Health (DoH), the Health Service Executive (HSE), and the eMental Health International Collaborative (eMHIC)—focused on two core themes: the strategic implementation of digital mental health solutions into existing service frameworks, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in transforming care.
Held in the heart of Dublin, the event gathered senior leaders and experts from Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, and beyond for a dynamic day of exchange, insight, and action. The tone was clear from the outset: this was not about tweaking the current system, but about reimagining it entirely—intentionally, inclusively, and at scale.
Government Commitment on Full Display
Ireland’s political leadership in this space was underscored by the presence of Hon. Mary Butler TD, Government Chief Whip and Minister for Mental Health. Her address emphasized both the promise and the responsibility that come with innovation in mental health care:
“There’s strong evidence that technology can positively engage people with mental health issues. Given these benefits, it’s important for policymakers and service providers to consider how best to use digital mental health solutions to improve outcomes.”
Yet she offered a clear caveat:
It’s crucial that digital supports don’t replace face-to-face interactions, which are vital for providing connection and compassion to those experiencing mental health issues. As we work to improve access to services, digital supports must be used appropriately and complement traditional delivery models."
Minister Butler stressed the importance of accountability:
“Just as we ensure that evaluation is part of good service and policy implementation to learn from our experiences, we must do the same with our digital mental health services. This way, we can balance the opportunities technology brings with the associated risks.”
“In recent years, Ireland has developed and implemented mental health policies that strongly support mental health promotion and recognise digital supports as a key medium. It’s clear that digital health technologies have the potential to transform mental healthcare in terms of accessibility, equity, quality, and choice.”
A Forward-Thinking Agenda
The day opened with insights from Anil Thapliyal, Executive Director of eMHIC, who challenged attendees to think differently about system transformation. Drawing on international examples, he offered a bold vision for what’s possible when innovation is grounded in equity, collaboration, and lived experience. His remarks framed the day’s conversations and set the stage for Ireland’s story to unfold.
1) Leading with Strategy, Not Just Tools
The first half of the roundtable focused on national digital mental health strategies; what they should look like, who should shape them, and how to implement them effectively.
Key questions included:
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How can governments integrate digital mental health seamlessly into existing care ecosystems?
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What does genuine co-design with people with lived experience look like?
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How can digital tools help bridge workforce gaps and reach rural or underserved regions?
Ireland is uniquely placed to lead this global discussion. As the event’s concept note explains: “Ireland is positioned at the forefront of digital mental health leadership and solution adoption, built on a robust evidence base, consumer engagement, solid systems, and infrastructure.”
With support from eMHIC’s global network, Ireland’s work is not just a national effort—it’s a model with international relevance.
Indeed, Ireland’s digital infrastructure already includes standout initiatives such as Text 50808, SilverCloud, MyMentalHealthPlan, Togetherall, and Navigator—each playing a role across prevention, intervention, and crisis support.
2) AI’s Double-Edged Sword
The second half of the day explored one of the most rapidly evolving and debated developments in mental healthcare: artificial intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is a prominent part of what is new, exciting, confusing – and for many, more than a little scary. The discussion asked: “Does AI offer solutions or add further complexity to an already complex health ecosystem?”
Rather than shying away from these tensions, participants leaned in—debating the risks and rewards of AI applications in mental health.
Topics included:
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Using virtual assistants to extend care to rural areas
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Real-world examples of AI-powered support
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Safety, ethics, and governance
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Who must be involved to ensure effective and responsible implementation
Cross-Sector Collaboration and Global Input
The event brought together a high-caliber group of health leaders including Siobhán McArdle (Assistant Secretary and Head of Social Care, Mental Health, Drugs Policy, and Unscheduled Care), Derek Tierney (Assistant Secretary and Head of Health Infrastructure), Philip Dodd (Deputy CMO and MH Policy Specialist), Derek Chambers and Paul Longmore (both from HSE’s Policy Implementation team).
Paul Longmore was enthusiastic about the event, saying:
“We had all the right people in the room talking about the right things. There was great energy and engagement from all attendees,”
“It was very helpful to have your international perspective and experience in the room. Andy [Roundtable Facilitator, Andrew Greenshaw] brought great skill and insight to his facilitation, and the event added to the sense of momentum in digital mental health in Ireland.”
One of the most moving moments came at the end of the day when a service user posed a heartfelt question directly to the Minister about whether digital tools should ever replace face-to-face support.
Longmore noted:
“I was struck by the organic and authentic exchange… on a crucial existential question for digital mental health—complementarity vs. replacement”
Strategy in Motion: Ireland’s Digital Vision
A major theme that emerged was the need for scalable digital solutions to improve timely access and service delivery. Updates were provided on Ireland’s National Digital Mental Health Strategy, which is currently under development under Recommendation 31 of the new Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan.
Paul Longmore shared that the strategy is being designed to consolidate current efforts, focus resources, and ensure coherence in the face of rapid technological evolution:
“With the multiplicity of developments and the pace of change in technology, we believe that a Strategy will help to consolidate our efforts, provide focus and coherence, and align the efforts of the many stakeholders involved”
He added that the approach is rooted in integration:
“A key principle that we have adopted in the drafting of the strategy is alignment with other relevant policies and programmes of work. In particular, we are very conscious of Digital for Care as the overarching agenda for digital transformation across the health system.”
The strategy is expected to be both high-level and comprehensive, covering areas such as:
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Access and equity
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Trust and culture change
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Skills and literacy
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Services across the care spectrum
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Integration and interoperability
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Technology infrastructure
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Collaboration and co-production
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Regulation and standards
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Innovation and product development
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Research and evaluation
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Data governance
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Leadership and funding
Global Alignment and WHO Engagement
In parallel, Ireland is also leading the development of the WHO Regional Office for Europe Digital Mental Health Roadmap, with Paul Longmore as the drafting lead. This roadmap aims to guide countries across Europe in the use and application of digital technologies for mental health promotion, prevention, and care.
“The timing of the two pieces of work is fortuitous in that they are mutually informing,” said Longmore. “It has helped to develop very positive and helpful international relationships.”
The WHO Roadmap is aligned with four core themes of the European Digital Health Strategy:
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Governance, norms & standards
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Capacity building and digital health literacy
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Infrastructure, horizon scanning & scale-up
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Networking and knowledge exchange
A draft will be presented to the Pan-European Coalition in July, with a formal launch scheduled for October 2025.
Ireland’s Digital Success Stories
Participants reflected on Ireland’s digital progress to date, including successful initiatives such as ‘Text About It’ (50808) by Spunout, SilverCloud, MyMentalHealthPlan, Togetherall, and Navigator. These services demonstrate how technology can support mental health across the continuum—from prevention to crisis support.
“The MH sector in Ireland has embraced the use of digital technology,” said Longmore. “This work is supported by explicit policy recommendations and implementation infrastructure.”
Looking Ahead
The Dublin Roundtable represented more than a conversation—it was a demonstration of ambition, coordination, and leadership. Delegates departed with a strong sense that Ireland is not only charting a national course but also shaping the international future of digital mental health.
“Digital health can and must be embedded within existing mental health frameworks to provide equitable access and early intervention,” was the clear consensus.
With political will, strategic infrastructure, and a growing ecosystem of collaborators, Ireland is making good on its promise to lead the digital mental health movement—by design, with integrity, and with those it serves at the center.
A Call to Collaborate
As digital technologies rapidly evolve, the risk of fragmentation, duplication, and inequity grows. Events like the Dublin Roundtable provide a much-needed forum for countries to learn from each other, align on strategy, and work in partnership toward shared goals.
Ireland’s approach—rooted in co-design, robust infrastructure, and global collaboration—offers an inspiring roadmap for other nations navigating this complex terrain.
eMHIC’s Collaborative Approach: “GLOCAL”
The event was guided by eMHIC’s globally endorsed “GLOCAL” philosophy—Think Globally, Act Locally—a model for translating international best practices into local solutions. eMHIC brings together governments, academics, service users, and private sector leaders from countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and more.
This learning collaborative offers the opportunity to foster collaboration between policymakers, funders, planners, people with lived experiences, academia, workforce and industry to inform effective implementation of scalable digital mental health solutions.
If you would like more information about eMHIC’s global collaborative events including Roundtables, we invite you to contact us at [email protected]
