2:15 PM - 2:20 PM
S5.1 - Facilitator
2:20 PM - 2:30 PM
A040 - From Smart Hospitals to Smart Minds: Digital Mental Health Initiatives in Taiwan
With the rise of big data and the rapid progress of artificial intelligence, the way we approach mental illness and mental health care has been changing dramatically. Taiwan, often called a “technology island,” is home to many of the world’s electronic products and AI chips. Naturally, Taiwan has also been very active in developing new ideas and innovations in digital health.
Located in central Taiwan, Taichung Veterans General Hospital is a national medical center and one of the Top 100 Smart Hospitals worldwide in 2025. The hospital is fully dedicated to advancing smart healthcare and intelligent care. In this presentation, I will share a series of digital mental health initiatives currently being implemented at Taichung Veterans General Hospital.
This presentation will cover the following topics:
1. Developing Smart Hospital Management System
2. Using Neuroimaging (PET and MRI) to predict the onset of mental illness
3. Establishing a PTSD big data database
By collecting biomarkers, including blood samples and neuroimaging, to predict individual sensitivity to stress
4. Developing online education and self-assessment tools
Enabling timely, rapid, and accessible self-evaluation, as well as real-time psychological support through online consultations
5. Using image recognition systems to detect negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Employing multimodal models and large language databases that integrate speech, facial expressions, and motor behaviors to enhance the reliability of assessments
6. Developing virtual reality applications to treat mental illness and issues
Introducing the 3MDR model to treat PTSD, and further applying VR therapy to other psychiatric disorders, such as alcohol use disorder such as treatment for alcohol use disorder
2:30 PM - 2:40 PM
A031 - An innovative Approach to Insomnia: Digital Therapeutics with Chinese Characteristics
1. Introduction
• Core topic: Critical reflection on AI’s application in depression diagnosis, focusing on
paradigm shifts from traditional to constructivist approaches.
• Significance: Addressing epistemic and clinical limitations of current AI models to
propose a more human-centered alternative.
2. Critical Analysis of the "Signal-to-Label" Paradigm
• Philosophical flaw: Rooted in "epistemic reductionism" (oversimplifying depression to
measurable signals + fixed labels), which is philosophically untenable.
• Empirical limitations:
◦ Depression "signals" (e.g., behavioral cues) are non-specific (not unique to depression).
◦ Diagnostic "labels" rely on instruments shaped by culture and context, lacking
universality.
• Conclusion: The entire "signal-to-label" approach is epistemically fragile (unreliable in
clinical practice).
3. Proposed Constructivist Framework for AI-Assisted Assessment
• Core reframing: Shifting diagnostic goals from "objective detection of depression" to
"collaborative construction of meaning" between AI and clinicians/patients.
• Key priority: Replacing categorical labeling (e.g., "depressed" vs. "non-depressed") with
functional assessment (e.g., how symptoms impact daily life).
4. Large Language Models (LLMs) as the Enabler
• Unique strengths of LLMs: Capabilities in narrative analysis (interpreting patients ’
subjective stories) and clinical reasoning.
• Role: Operationalizing the constructivist framework — turning abstract collaborative
"meaning-making" into practical, usable AI support.
5. Conclusion: Advocating for "Hermeneutic AI"
• Definition: AI designed to assist in interpreting subjective patient experiences, not
classify objective data.
• Value: More clinically valid (aligns with depression’s complexity), ethically responsible
(avoids over-reliance on rigid labels), and human-centered (centers patient subjectivity).
• Call to action: Pushing for this paradigm as the future of AI in mental health.
2:40 PM - 2:50 PM
A033 - Application of a Digital Mental Health Clinic in Secondary Schools: Functionality and Effectiveness Evaluation
Mr. Yi Xu, Chairman of Board, Zhejiang Jerinte Health Technology Co., Ltd.
Background: Adolescents experience relatively more stress than other populations as they are facing rapid physical changes and adapting to complex social environments. However, access for this population to professional service providers is limited. Therefore, there is an increasing need for access to mental health services and new mental health care resources tailored to adolescents.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the functionality and effectiveness of a school digital mental health clinic (DMHC) created by a Chinese psychiatric hospital and provided to secondary school students for a trial.
Methods: The trial period of the DMHC was from January to July 2021 at three secondary schools in Taizhou City, China. Under a collaborative agreement between the local educational bureau and provider, use of the DMHC was free to all students, teachers, and staff of the schools. The functionality of the DMHC was compared with existing digital health interventions introduced in the literature and its effectiveness was quantitatively analyzed in terms of the volume of received counseling calls, number of calls per 100 students, length and time of calls, and reasons for the calls. The mini course video views were analyzed by topics and viewing time.
Results: The design functions of the DMHC are well aligned with required factors defined in the literature. The first advantage of this DMHC is its high accessibility to students in the three schools. All functions of the DMHC are free to use by students, thereby eliminating the economic barriers to seeking and receiving care. Students can receive virtual counseling during or after regular working hours. Acceptability of the DHMC was further ensured by the full support from a national top-tier mental health facility. Any audio or video call from a student user would connect them to a live, qualified professional (i.e, a psychiatrist or psychologist). Options are provided to view and listen to resources for stress relief or tips to help address mental health needs. The major reasons for the counseling calls included difficulties in learning, interpersonal relationships, and emotional distress. The three topics with the highest level of interest for the mini course videos were emotional assistance, personal growth, and family member relationships. The DMHC served as an effective tool for crisis prevention and intervention during nonworking hours as most of the live calls and mini video viewing occurred after school or over the weekend. Furthermore, the DMHC helped three students at high risk for suicide and self-injury through live-call intervention.
Conclusions: The DMHC is an effective complementary solution to improve access to professional mental health care facilities, especially during nonworking hours, thereby helping adolescents meet their mental health needs. Extension of the DMHC into more schools and other settings is recommended.
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM
A042 - Advancing Technology in Schizophrenia Treatment: Avatar-Therapy in Virtual Reality
This presentation explores the clinical and technological foundations of Avatar Therapy in Virtual Reality (VR)—a novel, immersive intervention enabling patients with schizophrenia and related disorders to externalize and engage with distressing voices or intrusive thoughts through customizable, therapist-guided avatars. Grounded in exposure, cognitive restructuring, and empowerment principles, Avatar Therapy bridges digital simulation with psychotherapeutic practice.
Findings from The Challenge Trial, conducted by Virtu Research Group, demonstrate significant reductions in auditory hallucination severity, frequency and assertiveness. The study highlights both high patient engagement and therapist acceptability, confirming the feasibility of VR-delivered psychotherapy in complex psychiatric populations.
Beyond psychosis, the approach shows promise for eating disorders (embodying the eating disorder voice and externalisation) and OCD (increasing disorder awareness and symptom reduction). Further exploring the possibility and effect of telehealth treatment to extend access and scalability.
Finally, we outline an implementation roadmap within Danish public psychiatry, encompassing clinician training, digital infrastructure integration, and ethical safeguards. This initiative aims to drive access to evidence-based, technology-enhanced mental health care.
3:00 PM - 3:10 PM
A034 - The Role of e-Mental Health in the Emerging Brain Economy
As societies recognize brain health and brain skills as vital economic assets, digital mental health solutions are moving from the margins to the mainstream. This session will explore the emerging brain economy - an economic paradigm in which brain health and brain skills are recognized as fundamental assets for individual well-being, societal resilience, and economic growth - and how digital mental health innovations are becoming more central to expanding access, strengthening resilience, and unlocking economic value.
3:20 PM - 3:40 PM
41802 - The Women’s Brain and Mental State
This session will explore how a growing set of recent data on the physiology and stages of life of women relating to pregnancy, menopause, autoimmune system, hormones, and more affect brain health, moods such as anxiety, stress, depression, and brain fog, as well as increased susceptibility to certain health conditions. And demonstrate how a science-based specialized digital brain health solution is helping women throughout their lifespan.
Applying neuroscience insights to real-world strategies that enhance women’s health and resilience across the lifespan — from adolescence through menopause and beyond.