2:20 PM - 2:30 PM
46800 - Global Mental Health Equity: Tackling Biases in Digital Mental Health Assessment Tools
In a world where technology interconnects us, we need AI assessment tools that are as inclusive as they are innovative. However, even the most recommended tools often reflect societal biases, inadvertently marginalizing those who don’t check the right boxes. Achieving global mental health equity means overcoming substantial challenges, especially in terms of accessibility and assessment accuracy. These challenges are further compounded by biases inherent in popular AI assessment tools. AI models can demonstrate accuracy differences as large as 25% among different ethnic groups. And popular tools like the GAD-7 lose about 15% of their sensitivity when used on non-Western populations, highlighting a critical gap in effectiveness.
Thesis: Equitable AI assessment tools possess the transformative potential to redefine mental health care across the globe. However, for these tools to truly make an impact, they must be designed and implemented with a keen focus on improving access, promoting engagement, and enhancing effectiveness for all populations. This approach transcends mere technological advancements and reaches into the realm of ethics, ensuring that these innovations close the gaps in mental health care access and outcomes rather than widening them. Emphasizing equitable access and meaningful user engagement will underpin their ability to break down barriers and overcome biases, thus providing a just and effective solution for mental health care globally.
Key Points to be Discussed:
•Understanding AI Bias in Mental Health Assessments: Explore the sources and nature of biases in AI models, such as algorithmic bias originating from non-representative training datasets. Discuss real-world implications where biases have led to skewed mental health assessments and outcomes.
•The Role of Data Inclusivity with the Equity Equation: Introduce the equity equation for digital mental health. This approach ensures that AI outcomes are accessible, effective, and fair, defined by the equation: Equity = (Access × Engagement × Effectiveness) / (Barriers + Bias).
•Rethinking Standardized Mental Health Measures: Delve into the advantages and challenges that come with utilizing the standardized measures recommended by the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement.
•Examples of Known Biases in Progress and Outcome Monitoring Instruments: Review examples of known biases within the National Institute of Mental Health standardized measures chosen for the common data elements initiative. This spotlights where improvements can be made to enhance equity.
•Potential Solutions and Innovations: Delve into solutions that have demonstrated the ability to address the challenges of mental health equity and explore why many health practitioners continue to favor traditional AI assessment tools that employ diagnostic measures developed by the World Health Organization, American Psychiatric Association, and Pfizer.
The presentation seeks to spark a collaborative effort to transform common measures into a truly equitable process through AI assessment tools that emphasize equity = (access × engagement × effectiveness) / (barriers + bias). It is designed to engage congress delegates in a conversation about real-world applications and strategies that can be implemented globally. By addressing biases in AI assessment tools, we can pave the way for innovative, inclusive solutions that ensure equitable access to mental health support worldwide.
2:30 PM - 2:40 PM
46003 - Humanizing for Harmony: Better Mental Health Skills
Our world needs a global mental health intervention. This program is unique because it is the first dynamic key to Pandora’s Box for Better Mental Health Skills in a Crisis. To be the most effective in the least amount of time. "If you only have one opportunity with a person, what is the very best you may offer for their greater good?"
This program has been well tested and supported by evidence-based research. Equally effective in PTSD programs and easily integrated with other therapeutic approaches, as reported by clients and therapists.
The tools are so simple and easy to learn that a child may teach an adult. Everyone Pays It Forward, creating multiple healing ripples.
These skills are NOT the answer to everything.
Key Features:
It is a universal, non-verbal, body-centered, movement-based, multi-sensory, brain stimulation approach.
Wellness Trauma-Informed focus consists of 13 Skills, each completed in 2 minutes.
Each Skill takes 5 minutes to learn and is so easy that a child may teach these skills to others.
The program is FUNN - Functional Understanding Not Necessary. A person in shock doesn’t care, as long as they know you care and what you offer works quickly to ease their pain. Just Do. The program is available and beneficial to everyone, regardless of age, physical, or cognitive ability. Create “Magic out of Dust” in the Blink of Chaos.
To maximize effectiveness, skills may be layered, in multiples of 2 or 3 skills at a time.
Our brain supports and assists in building a greater resiliency net with neuroplasticity. "Fire it - Wire it", to build and reinforce neural pathways. Neuroplasticity allows us an opportunity to wire our brain for trauma resilience and performance Excel-ability. Overall Benefit: In a crisis, a person lands softer and springs back quicker using these skills.
Benefits for Adults: Build cognitive reserves as you age.
Includes: Short Audio with Step-by-Step Instructions.
Audio Transcript: available to record the step-by-step instructions into any language.
Handouts are universal and include all the pictures with text boxes for transcribing into any language.
The program doesn’t require any equipment.
We must treat others as we wish others to treat us. A commitment to respect life, dignity, individuality, and diversity, so that everyone is treated humanely, without exception.
Our world needs you to bring these skills to your community. We can make a difference, especially for our children, holding our future. To teach is to touch a life forever. You are giving them a gift of love and life skills with priceless benefits. The ultimate goal of this program is to restore a sense of safety and trust to build hope. Hopefully, to reduce or prevent the tragic consequences of childhood trauma later in life.
Guarantee: Immediate Actionable Skills for Rapid Relief. You will feel better in the next 10 minutes than you do arriving. Imagine a Good Today, a Better Tomorrow, and the Best Day After.
Think global, act local. Everyone, everywhere, needs this program NOW!
2:40 PM - 2:50 PM
46442 - Confidence as a Catalyst: Inclusive Digital Mental Health for All
In the digital age, mental health solutions must be inclusive and accessible to all. This presentation explores the intersection of self-confidence and digital mental health, focusing on empowering marginalized communities. Drawing from personal experiences and extensive interviews with Asian women leaders, Sheena Yap Chan offers insights into building digital platforms that foster self-confidence and mental well-being. Attendees will gain practical strategies to design and implement digital mental health tools that resonate with diverse populations, ensuring equity and inclusivity in mental health support.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the role of self-confidence in mental health and its impact on marginalized communities.
• Identify barriers to accessing digital mental health solutions among underrepresented groups.
• Develop strategies to create inclusive digital platforms that empower users and promote mental well-being.
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM
47367 - A Digital Connected Care Hub Transforming Access to Integrated Health and Social Support Services
Whakarongorau Aotearoa, New Zealand’s national provider of telehealth services, has recently introduced a nationwide GP appointment booking capability powered by Octans Care—a digital connected care platform developed by Valentia Technologies in partnership with Whakarongorau. This deployment marks a significant milestone in digitally enabling frontline services, allowing Healthline clinicians to seamlessly book GP appointments for clients across the country. While this functionality currently supports clinical pathways, the broader vision for Octans Care is to serve as a digital connected care hub—a central digital gateway where individuals can access and navigate a wide range of services, including mental health and social support. This presentation explores how the digital infrastructure behind the GP booking initiative is capable of to be extended to transform the delivery of mental health services. It offers a forward-looking view of how Valentia’s platform, could enable a more joined up, accessible, and client-centred approach to mental health support. The session will cover: What is a digital connected care hub and why it matters: A space where clients are guided to the right support at the right time, providers can collaborate across boundaries, and service delivery is coordinated, rather than siloed. Octans Care in action: A look at how the platform currently supports the GP booking workflow—focusing on interoperability, real-time availability, and intelligent routing. Opportunities for mental health: How the platform capabilities could support mental health triage, service navigation, referral management, and follow-up care through digital-first channels. Key features for mental health delivery: AI-guided self-assessments, interactive digital agents, personalised service suggestions, and integrated support for whānau, carers, and community providers. Supporting inclusion and equity: How a connected digital experience can overcome barriers related to geography, stigma, or fragmented service pathways, offering individuals a trusted place to start their care journey. Octans Care is not intended to replace people, clinicians, or relationships—it is designed to support them by reducing duplication, improving access, and allowing service providers like Whakarongorau to operate at scale while maintaining human-centred care. While the mental health use case is still in an exploratory phase, this presentation will share the thinking, architecture, and collaboration model behind the platform—highlighting how it could evolve to become a single, integrated access point for health and social support services. By attending this session, participants will gain practical insight into: How to lay the foundation for a digital mental health ecosystem; The importance of co-design between technology enablers and service providers; What it takes to create a scalable and inclusive connected care experience;
3:00 PM - 3:10 PM
46824 - Bridging the Digital Divide in Mental Health: Insights from a Qualitative Case Study in Bangladesh
Mental health remains critically underrepresented in global health and development agendas, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the burden of mental illness is growing despite scarce resources. While digital technologies are increasingly leveraged worldwide to address mental health needs, voices and evidence from LMICs are rarely featured on global platforms. This presentation helps fill that gap by sharing findings from a qualitative case study in Bangladesh, where digital mental health is in its early stages. We conducted in-depth interviews with 32 participants—including individuals with lived experience (n=6), caregivers (n=6), and mental health professionals (n=20)—from both urban (Dhaka) and semi-urban (Jashore) settings. Using an inductive analytical approach, we identified five central themes: (1) perceptions of mental health, (2) the emergence of digital mental health, (3) opportunities for digital technologies in care delivery, (4) challenges to implementation, and (5) recommendations for strengthening service delivery. Findings highlight the potential of digital tools to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and expand access to support in resource-limited contexts. Participants stressed the need for culturally relevant content, trust-building within communities, and the strategic use of social media to share accurate mental health information. Identified design opportunities include digital tools for symptom management, awareness campaigns, and content moderation strategies to foster safe online environments. This study offers context-specific insights and practical guidance for co-designing digital mental health interventions in Bangladesh and similar LMICs. By amplifying underrepresented perspectives from the Global South, the presentation contributes to a more inclusive global dialogue on digital mental health innovation.
3:10 PM - 3:20 PM
45456 - From Crisis to Connection: Building Universal Mental Health Screening and Care Pathways in Schools
Introduction: Youth Mental Health—The Crisis of Our Time
•Depression and anxiety rates among youth have skyrocketed (e.g., 42% spike in Ohio 2016–2020 ).
•Schools are often the only point of access to mental health support for young people.
•Yet traditional “referral by teacher observation” misses many kids suffering silently.
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The Opportunity: Universal Screening
•Universal Mental Health Screening (UMHS) identifies needs across all students—not just those showing outward distress.
•Recommended by the U.S. Department of Education.
•Early detection → Early intervention → Better long-term outcomes.
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Case Study 1: King County, WA (“Check Yourself” SBIRT Model) 
•Focused on Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT).
•Embedded into school health workflows.
•Challenges: High volume of students identified; needed better systems to support follow-up.
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Case Study 2: Brandon, Ohio 
•Built a district-wide universal screening model.
•Phased rollout: starting small, scaling big.
•Key success factors:
•Buy-in from leadership and staff.
•Clear, compassionate response plans.
•Partner engagement for intervention capacity.
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Why Universal Screening Beats Targeted Screening
•Targeted screening (by teacher or counselor judgment) leads to bias and missed students.
•Universal screening normalizes mental health as part of overall student wellbeing.
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The Missing Link: Connection to Care
•Identifying needs is only step one.
•Without care coordination, schools risk overwhelming staff or letting identified students fall through the cracks.
•Care Hub: An integrated digital platform to:
•Manage referrals easily
•Communicate with families
•Track service outcomes
•Reduce admin burden on counselors and staff
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Policy and Practice Recommendations
•Fund both screening AND referral infrastructure.
•Build care navigation partnerships early.
•Prioritize scalable tech that preserves empathy and privacy.
•Plan for sustainability (staff turnover, funding changes).
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Audience Takeaways
•Proven frameworks for implementing UMHS.
•Lessons learned from large-scale deployments.
•Tools to ease care connection, not just identification.
•Policy arguments to support sustainable mental health infrastructure in schools.
3:20 PM - 3:30 PM
45242 - Beyond the Waitlist: Activating Clients Before Care Begins
The Problem: The Waitlist as a Risk Zone In many mental health systems, clients wait months between referral and treatment. During that time, they often: Feel forgotten or unsure if they’ve been accepted Struggle to prepare for treatment emotionally and practically Receive mixed or incorrect information from third parties At Heartwood Centre for Women, this wait time was not just inconvenient—it was dangerous. Clients lost momentum, couldn’t stabilize, and arrived underprepared, increasing the demand for individualized care and impacting program efficacy. The Innovation: Waitlist Check-In Tool In partnership with Tickit Health, Heartwood piloted a Waitlist Check-In Tool—a digital platform that connects with clients immediately after referral to: Set expectations for treatment Share strength-based health information Offer local, personalized resources Guide them through practical questions (“What do I pack?”, “Can I bring my phone?”) Key Features: Web-based: No logins or downloads, accessible via SMS or email Built for low-literacy, multilingual populations Designed with clear language, emojis, and optional audio Culturally and gender inclusive Dynamically adapts to where the client is in the intake journey The Model: Patient Activation Before Entry Grounded in the Client Activation Measure for Mental Health, the tool helps clients: Build autonomy and knowledge Feel agency over their recovery Engage with care proactively—even before arrival Impact Areas: Clients feel seen, informed, and empowered Staff gain time back as questions are pre-answered Programs reduce dropouts and increase early-stage engagement Human-Centered, Co-Designed The project was co-designed with: People with lived experience Heartwood staff Cultural support workers Health system operations leads This participatory approach ensured that the solution was not just for clients—but with them. Why Now? Long waitlists are becoming a defining feature of global mental health systems. But that wait time can either be a void—or a value-generating opportunity. This talk will show how policy makers and providers can transform “access” to include the moment after referral. Takeaways for the Audience: Learn how to redesign waitlist phases as a tool for equity and engagement See how digital activation can reduce provider burden without sacrificing empathy Get inspired by a model that can be deployed in weeks—not months