Witnessing the Atlantic Bloc’s inter-provincial collaboration and innovative solutions at the eMental Health International Collaborative’s Regional Summit in St John’s was truly inspiring!

eMHIC’s Atlantic Bloc Regional Digital Mental Health Summit brought together a diverse group of people including Mental Health provider organizations, NGO’s, national and international experts, and Provincial Governments from Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island (PEI). The summit was opened with land acknowledgements by John McGrath, Deputy Minister of Health and Community Services, Michel Rodrigue, MBA, CPA,CMA, and Kaumatua George Hill, First Nation Elder from New Zealand, who set an uplifting tone for the day’s discussions on “Building Capacity with eMental Health”.

During the Summit, we were amazed by the locally developed innovative solutions and approaches showcased, and it was truly inspiring to see the four Maritime Canadian provinces working together to get the digital mental health conversation right for their communities. As we gazed upon the passing icebergs, we were reminded of the vast challenges that lay ahead for the mental health sector. However, the outstanding participation of the international eMH domain award winners – Niki Legge, Louise Bradley, Nicholas Watters M.B.A., CHE., and Patricia Lingley-Pottie – filled all the stakeholders at the Summit with inspiration and pride for the progress already achieved, while also acknowledging the significant road ahead.