11:15 AM - 11:20 AM
S4.5 - Facilitator
11:20 AM - 11:30 AM
44100 - Shared Strength (Спільна Сила): Delivering Scalable, Localized Mental Health Support for Displaced Ukrainians
Shared Strength (Спільна Сила) is a multilingual, scalable digital mental health platform supporting displaced Ukrainians worldwide. Designed for trusted community organizations, this replicable solution removes access barriers, bypasses traditional implementation roadblocks, and is grounded in behavioral science. Built to promote global equity, it empowers underserved populations - including those without insurance or government support - through culturally adapted, self-guided care. Learn more at https://sharedstrength.care.
11:30 AM - 11:40 AM
44285 - Federated Data Governance for Non-Profits: A Safe and Smart Way to Connect Mental Health, Housing, and Other Systems of Care
This presentation will showcase how Crisis Text Line leverages AI and machine learning (ML) to deliver high quality, human-delivered mental health and crisis response and prevention at scale; illuminate clinically relevant elements of crisis conversations for continuous quality improvement; and contribute solution-oriented insights and innovations to the broader field.
Crisis Text Line’s volunteer-powered model and technology leverages AI as a tool not to replace human-to-human connection but to transform everyday people from all walks of life into a critical mass of trained volunteer responders offering life-changing support to those in need under live supervision of professional mental health staff, advancing mental health equity through improved access to realtime support. We use AI/ML to analyze our de-identified dataset of over 11 million conversations in the United States in English and Spanish to advance our efficiency and expand our impact. This evidence and insight generation helps us identify patterns, understand emerging needs, and respond more effectively in real time—especially when it comes to high-risk situations like mentions of suicide.
Following an overview of Crisis Text Line’s platform and service delivery model, we will describe recent AI/ML clinical research science projects that focus on clinically relevant elements of crisis conversations designed to contribute solution-oriented innovations that both improve our service and benefit global society. Examples include such research efforts as: (1) identifying linguistic features of volunteer responders’ texts most strongly associated with perceived empathy or genuine concern; (2) detecting planned suicide methods in conversation by age and other demographics; and (3) identifying and classifying core issues and emotions that lead texters to reach out. We will also describe the results of recent work to expand AI/ML model building and analysis to conversations in Spanish, and the development of an AI driven simulated conversation environment that allows volunteers to develop their skills before engaging with live texters in crisis. Finally, we will share how Crisis Text Line’s data storytelling approach translates the insights generated by our research team into knowledge products and resources made available to wider audiences in an effort to shape policy, practice, and systems change globally, such as our public crisistrends.org dashboard.
About the organization: Crisis Text Line is a leading nonprofit that provides free, 24/7, confidential mental health and crisis response through a volunteer-driven service delivery model and technology platform. With this approach, we have supported over 15 million crisis conversations in multiple languages across four countries including the United States, and we aim to expand access to 25% of the world within the next five years through collaborative partnerships, beginning with expansion in Spanish across the Latin America and Caribbean region in 2025.
11:40 AM - 11:50 AM
42601 - It’s Time to Reconsider How We Support People at the Intersection of Mental Health and Social Outcomes
Mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It is deeply intertwined with a person’s life experiences, including trauma, social circumstances and systemic barriers. However, mental health services are often designed with a narrow focus, neglecting the broader social determinants that contribute to wellbeing. This presentation will explore the need to rethink our approach and prioritise connective, human-centred digital solutions.
Drawing on her career spent working to improve life outcomes through government policy, experience and human behavioural and digital interaction lenses, Fiona will discuss:
- Why our current narrow thinking is re-traumatising people who are already struggling and failing to provide a pathway forward for those who are facing significant challenges. Drawing on insights from natural disasters, bereavement and victim support.
- How a trauma-informed and systemically connected design can create mental health solutions that are accessible, effective and empathetic for everyone. Drawing on insights from Australia’s mental health gateway, Head to Health and Medicare Mental Health.
- The findings of recent research into public and health professional attitudes towards mental health, the role of digital solutions, the systemic problems of demand, process and workforce – and how we might address them.
- How to harness new emerging technologies to create a catalyst for thinking big and solving up-to-now intractable problems.
In this presentation, Fiona will propose a vision for the future of mental health – one that embraces human-centred design, AI-driven accessibility and integrated digital service models. By considering mental health through a holistic lens, we can develop solutions that empower individuals and communities, ensuring they receive the right support at the right time.
11:50 AM - 12:00 PM
39336 - National Mindline 1771
In 2025, Singapore launched a unified digital and telephonic mental health touch point for the public to access mental health support anonymously. This service aims to reach out to those who have mental health problems but are not yet prepared to step forward for face to face care. Leveraging on digital technologies and multiple access channels, National Mindline 1771 aims to be a world class omni channel mental health resource for Singapore.
12:00 PM - 12:10 PM
46787 - Suicide.ca: A Unique Digital Suicide Prevention Service
- Introduction to Suicide.ca
Suicide.ca is a one-of-a-kind digital service focused specifically on suicide prevention.
It supports:
Individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts.
People who are concerned about someone else.
Those grieving a suicide loss.
- Mission: Help · Educate · Prevent.
- Core Services
- 24/7 Chat and Text Support. Responders are 100% professionally trained to handle suicidal and homicidal-suicidal crises.
- Suicide.ca Website
More than a crisis platform—it's a comprehensive mental health resource hub.
- Content and Educational Tools
•Blog Section with over 75 articles addressing mental health issues linked to suicidal ideation. •Podcast Series, recently launched
- Interviews with Quebec celebrities sharing personal stories of suicidal thoughts and mental health challenges.
- "MyTools" Section, designed for individuals with suicidal thoughts or at-risk due to mental health issues.
Includes 6 interactive activities:
1. Take action
2. Calm down
3. Get motivated
4. Reach out to family and friends
5. Protect myself
6. Journal
- Interactive Tools for Prevention
- Self-Assessment Tool helps users better understand their situation. Developed by top suicide prevention researchers in Quebec and France.
- Security Plan is a personalized plan to use during moments of distress. It can be completed alone, with a loved one, or with healthcare professional and is shareable with counselors or trusted contacts.
- Counselor Training and Clinical Support
- Hiring Requirements: All responders hold a degree in mental health or a related field.
- Initial Training Program: 84 hours of training, including: 9 online modules, assessments and journaling and simulated practice sessions for different age groups (adults, children under 13). Focus on a solution-based approach
- Ongoing Professional Development, continuous personalized clinical supervision and regular clinical group sessions
12:10 PM - 12:20 PM
40394 - Bridging the Digital Divide: Exploring the Role of Digital Navigators in Healthcare Settings
This presentation will do the following:
1) Provide an overview of the Digital Navigator role in mental health care
2) Describe the current research landscape as it relates to the Digital Navigators
3) Provide case examples of Digital Navigators in mental health care in a Canadian context
Canadians with mental health challenges are utilizing digital health tools more than ever. Mental healthcare organizations across the country are integrating digital tools to enhance the services they provide, making it easier for individuals to access and manage their care. A 2023 survey by Canada Health Infoway found that 80% of Canadians have accessed their health information electronically, while 60% have used mobile apps to support their well-being over the past year. From patient portals and virtual care platforms to mobile health apps, digital solutions are becoming an essential part of the Canadian healthcare system—reshaping how patients engage with clinicians and access their health information.
Despite their undeniable benefits, digital technologies present challenges for healthcare systems, clinicians, and patients alike. The implementation and integration of these tools can be complex, and their widespread adoption is not without barriers. Perhaps the most pressing concern is the growing digital divide. While significant progress has been made in expanding broadband internet access across Canada, patients and clinicians still struggle to make use of these digital resources, with digital literacy remaining a critical issue. Many individuals lack the skills to navigate digital tools, interpret health data, or effectively use the tools available to them. A 2025 survey conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine found that 70% of international health system leaders identified low digital literacy among patients as the largest hurdle to implementing virtual care services.
To address this gap, a new role is emerging within healthcare: the digital navigator (sometimes referred to as a digital or technology coach). While not a completely new concept, digital navigators enable the use of patient-facing digital technologies in clinical care. They differ from clinical informatics or IT specialists in that their sole focus is to support clinicians and patients in best utilizing patient-facing digital tools to support care rather than providing technology support for enterprise clinical information systems (i.e., electronic health records). As a member of the clinical team, they can play a crucial role in supporting clinicians and patients in integrating digital tools into care. Some examples of the support digital navigators can provide include:
1.Identifying evidence-based digital tools tailored to a given clinical need,
2.Supporting patients in building and developing digital literacy skills,
3.Troubleshooting technical issues that may arise, and
4.Helping both patients and clinicians interpret and make use of digital health data.
One of the greatest strengths of the digital navigator is the adaptability and flexibility of the role. Digital navigators can be embedded into various clinical settings, supporting a wide range of digital health technologies and patient populations. However, despite the potential of digital navigators, the role is still in its early stages of implementation. International health systems such as the United States, Australia, and Germany have begun piloting digital navigator programs, but large-scale implementations are yet to unfold. Within the Canadian sphere, the implementation of digital navigators has been limited. Recently, London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Healthcare in London, Ontario, implemented a digital navigator program to support patients in accessing and using virtual care services. Patients accessing care at the hospital and within the community can receive technical and tailored support in learning how to navigate the video-conferencing platform they use to provide virtual care.
12:20 PM - 12:40 PM
46247 - Balancing Between Open Access and Equity-oriented Data Collection: Developing Implementation Guidelines to Advance Mental Health and Substance Use Health Equity in Digital Solutions
Dr. Mary Bartram, CEO, Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services
Dr. Hajin Lee, Postdoctoral Fellow, Women's College Hospital
This presentation consists of the following sections:
Introduction: Establishes a common understanding of “equity” and introduces the key issue—the balance between open access to care, equity-promoting data collection, and data governance. It also highlights a case study of Wellness Together Canada, a national digital mental health and substance use health (MHSUH) portal that provided critical 24/7 support during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020–April 2024).
Main Section: Presents key outputs from planning and dissemination activities funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Key outcomes include:
A summary of the scoping review on equity-promoting data governance and implementation frameworks in digital MHSUH solutions.
Priorities for developing equity-promoting implementation guidelines for digital MHSUH solutions, informed by consensus-building activities among twenty diverse stakeholders—including persons with lived experience (PWLE), health equity researchers, health system administrators, data management experts, and leaders from organizations experienced in implementing digital MHSUH services. Consensus will be reached through the Nominal Group Technique (NGT), a structured approach consisting of an introduction, silent idea generation, idea sharing, discussion, and voting/ranking.
Conclusion: Invites questions, comments, and suggestions from the audience, a broader group of potential knowledge users, on facilitators and barriers to implementing guidelines in real-world diverse settings, supporting their refinement/finalization and informing the future development of equitable, evidence-based digital MHSUH solutions.