By Sahil Chopra and Pulkit Aggrwal
The Digital Mental Health International Congress (eMHIC) took place in Ottawa, Canada, on September 19th and 20th. The theme of this year’s Congress, “Digital Building Capacity: 24/7 Mental Health Support for All,” brought together experts and leaders to discuss how digital mental health can provide support and services for individuals in need of care.
Representing Grand Challenges Canada, Portfolio Managers Sahil Chopra and Pulkit Aggrwal were in attendance and shared some of their key learnings from the discussions:
- Prioritizing User Safety: Ensuring the safety of end users is paramount in the rapidly expanding field of digital mental health, with over 350,000 apps available, yet only 20% proven effective. New technologies must prioritize the safety of particularly vulnerable groups, such as young people. While standards and regulatory frameworks are still evolving—especially in high-income countries (HICs)—nations like the UK, Canada, and Australia are at the forefront. More comprehensive standards that respect cultural norms from the Global South are needed. Notably, Mental Health Commission of Canada’s (MHCC) app assessment framework emphasizes safety, diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and cultural sensitivity in assessments.
- Engaging Young People: Young people are highly adaptable, making it crucial to build trust with this demographic to foster adherence to digital health applications. Engagement strategies should meet them where they are—through education, social media, and community initiatives. Involving individuals with lived experience in the development and implementation of solutions is vital, as their insights can greatly enhance effectiveness.
- Enhancing Digital Literacy: To fully benefit from digital mental health tools, users must possess digital literacy skills. This empowerment allows them to navigate and utilize applications with confidence.
- Integrating Digital Tools: Digital mental health solutions should not be viewed as standalone interventions but as integral components of the healthcare system. They can enhance decision-making and improve overall care effectiveness.
- Exploring Generative AI: Generative AI shows promise in four key areas: Education, Assessment, Interventions, and Access. Its application can enhance health communication, improve organizational efficiency, and provide innovative insights into mental health care.
- Addressing Workforce Shortages: Digital mental health solutions can help alleviate workforce shortages and improve accessibility to care. However, significant gaps remain in the use of these tools for prevention and promotion. Most existing models tend to be reactive, focusing on issue management rather than proactive prevention.
- Cultural Sensitivity of Tools: Tools developed in the Global South should be available in local languages and align with the cultural and social needs of the local population, while establishing trust and ownership. Tools validated in the Western contexts can serve as reference and can be adapted to different cultural settings, ensuring relevance and effectiveness across diverse populations.
- Education and Stigma Reduction: Digital tools play a vital role in educating users and destigmatizing mental health issues. In some cases, app-based approaches may surpass traditional paper-based methods, particularly regarding sensitive issues like suicidal ideation. It is crucial to remain aware of potential false negatives in screening tools to ensure accurate assessment and intervention.
