Sixteen years of progress. A bold new challenge. A shared responsibility to turn digital mental health’s promise into system-wide impact.

On 9 October 2026, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the eMental Health International Collaborative (eMHIC) and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador jointly hosted an invitation-only Digital Mental Health (DMH) Roundtable. Bringing together leaders and experts from across the province, Canada and internationally, the gathering posed an important question: What comes next?

St. John’s sits on Canada’s easternmost edge, facing the vast Atlantic. From Signal Hill, Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901, a moment that connected people across distance in a new way. This is also a region shaped by geographical isolation, formidable landscapes and stories of courage and resilience. The Titanic’s tragic fate lies offshore, not too far away.

Standing in this part of the world, one cannot help but wonder whether communities shaped by such geographical isolation and historical challenges develop a distinctive resilience, resourcefulness and can-do spirit. Perhaps there is something in that spirit that helps explain what has been unfolding in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Sixteen Years of Shared Determination

Looking back at a photograph from 2010 featuring a much younger Niki Legge, Darryl Bishop MNZM and eMHIC Founder, President and CEO, Professor Anil Thapliyal, it is a reminder of how far this journey has come.

And, as the photograph reveals, it all began in Dildo. Yes, Dildo is a real local service district in Newfoundland and Labrador!

Behind the smiles was a shared determination: geography and circumstance should never decide whether someone can access mental health information, care and support.

Sixteen years later, that commitment continues to guide conversations about the future of digital mental health across the province.

Bringing the Right Perspectives into the Same Conversation

The Roundtable brought together lived experience, academia, policy, commissioning, the workforce and industry. That mix mattered.

Technology, policy, implementation and sustainability are often discussed in separate settings. In St. John’s, these perspectives came together to examine the opportunities and challenges involved in building a fully optimised digital mental health ecosystem.

Through high-impact “Brag and Steal” sessions, experts from across Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and internationally shared what works, what they have learned and what others might adapt. The discussions created opportunities to exchange practical insights, explore emerging approaches and consider how successful initiatives could inform future progress.

A central message was the importance of designing solutions that reflect the realities of the communities they are intended to serve.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s geography and dispersed communities make local context essential. Community consultations along the coast and meaningful involvement of people with lived experience, families and carers must shape priorities, design, development and implementation.

A strong ecosystem is built with communities, not merely for them.

Turning Digital Mental Health’s Promise into System-Wide Impact

As artificial intelligence continues to advance, the importance of remaining grounded in evidence, safety, equity, human dignity and accountability becomes increasingly clear.

The Roundtable provided an opportunity to reflect on 16 years of progress and consider the collective responsibility that lies ahead. The next stage of the journey calls for continued collaboration across sectors, thoughtful policy and implementation, and a shared commitment to building a digital mental health ecosystem that responds to the needs of individuals, families and communities.

Sixteen years ago, a small group began with a determination to improve access. Today, there is an opportunity and responsibility to turn that determination into lasting, system-wide change.

Ultimately, success will be measured by whether people can access the right support, at the right time, in the right way, wherever they live.