2:20 PM - 2:30 PM
40002 - Essential Coaching Postpartum: A Postpartum Text-Message Digital Health Solution for Parents
The transition to parenthood is an exciting yet demanding period requiring physical, emotional, and social adjustments. However, the postpartum education and support that new parents receive is often inadequate, despite evidence that critical early-life environmental factors, such as parental mental health, impacts lifelong health outcomes for parents and children. Education and support via text-messaging has potential to fill this health care gap. This talk will describe Essential Coaching Postpartum, an innovative, low-cost text message program designed to improve new parents’ access to information and support during the immediate 6-week postpartum period. Developed in Nova Scotia through iterative user-centered testing with parents and healthcare providers, the program delivers 59 messages starting the second day after birth—twice daily for 3 weeks and then once daily until 6 weeks. A randomized controlled trial found the program improves parenting self-efficacy and reduces postpartum anxiety in birthing parents. Originally developed for birthing parents, the development, evaluation, and expansion of Essential Coaching Postpartum, including its adaptation for non-birthing parents, will be described. Ongoing work and plans for sustainability will be described. Essential Coaching Postpartum is the first Canadian comprehensive text message program providing remote support specifically for the immediate postpartum period, enhancing universally available public healthcare. Essential Coaching Postpartum supports both the parental perinatal transition as well as indirectly improving neonatal outcomes through supporting family health and well-being during this critical life stage. This work also emphasizes the importance of sustainability and scalability in interventions through using low-cost, scalable, innovative solutions for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes globally. Moreover, the program's expansion to diverse populations, including non-birthing parents, adds valuable insights into the adaptability of digital health tools, which is relevant to a broad audience.
2:30 PM - 2:40 PM
45199 - Empowering Educators to Support Student Wellbeing Through Digital Microlearnings
This presentation will begin by contextualizing the current youth mental health crisis and highlighting the impact of limited mental health awareness and literacy among both students and school staff. Research shows that 50% of individuals who experience mental illness begin to show symptoms by the age of 14 (ATA, 2021). Given that schools—second only to families—have the greatest influence on a child’s development, they are uniquely positioned to support student well-being. As consistent and trusted environments, schools play a vital role not only in nurturing learning and growth but also as key sites for early identification and intervention to prevent the onset or escalation of mental health challenges. This session offers an innovative and accessible solution to support the unique mental health needs of students—a digital microlearning series designed specifically for K–12 educators, support staff, and school leaders. By focusing on foundational mental health literacy, this course empowers school communities to create more supportive, inclusive, and responsive environments for students. The microlearning approach—three concise, ten-minute modules—makes it practical and scalable for busy professionals. By creating this foundational course and offering it to school staff, the mental health literacy of those within the education community will be improved, enabling confidence among educators to better serve their students. Overall, this series aims to support students’ mental health and wellbeing outcomes, academic outcomes, and future success. This novel digital microlearning series was developed by Eduscape in partnership with Headwater Learning Foundation. Eduscape is passionate about transforming education through meaningful, human-centered professional learning. As a company founded by educators and leaders, Eduscape focuses on empowering schools and school systems to rethink learning, especially around timely and critical topics like mental health across Canada and the US. Headwater Learning Foundation (HLF) empowers educational change on a global scale by ensuring every learner excels in today’s fast-paced, digital world. HLF pioneers K-12 education through cutting-edge research, recognizing that each brain functions uniquely. This presentation aligns strongly with national priorities around student wellness, prevention, and early intervention in educational settings. It is an essential contribution to the conversation about how we can strengthen school systems to better support the mental health and academic success of all learners.
2:40 PM - 2:50 PM
38862 - Bridging Prevention and Intervention Through Success4Life Youth Empowerment
Paul Gilbert, Senior Partner, Transforming Life
The rising mental health challenges among youth, necessitate the development of effective and scalable early intervention and preventive solutions. Research consistently shows that problematic smartphone use (PSU) and problematic social media use (PSMU) significantly impact youth mental health, contributing to anxiety, sleep disturbances, depression and obsessive behaviors. Despite concerns about excessive digital use, social media remains an integral part of daily life, and offers benefits such as stronger social connections to many individuals. Although experts have called for bans and severe restrictions on social media; research suggests that benefits resulting from ban may be short-lived without addressing the underlying psychological factors behind PSU and PSMU. Hence targeted emotion regulation strategies are recommended to help youth navigate digital environments more effectively. Moreover, the issue of escalating mental distress is not confined to younger children; a meta-analysis found that 33.6% of college students experience depression and 39% report anxiety symptoms. Hence, holistic approaches that promote mindful technology use while building essential life skills have become critical. Integrating positive engagement with technology and social-emotional learning (SEL) is a promising blueprint for early intervention and prevention of mental disorders in this context (Setia et al., 2024). We recently published a scoping review on digital detox strategies (Setia et al., 2025). Our research demonstrated that targeted digital detox strategies can play a crucial role in managing and preventing PSU/ PSMU that currently affects nearly 1/4 of children and young people. Digital detox in this context refers to voluntary and mindful breaks from technology or specific applications. The existing SEL programs however focus narrowly on issues such as mindful use of technology. Success4Life (S4L) (Transforming Life LLC; IP registration: TXu 2-327-132) is an innovative 10-week SEL early intervention program that based on principles of balanced technology use to enhance mental health outcomes. We are conducting a study on S4L program at Alfred University in New York and preliminary results indicate that it effectively enhances well-being and promotes mindful use of technology and social media among the general youth population, as well as individuals with underlying mental health conditions (Setia & Tichy, 2024). This presentation will share our implementation methodology, assessment frameworks, and preliminary research outcomes. Attendees will gain practical insights into integrating holistic SEL programs within their existing educational and mental health initiatives, with specific focus on fostering sustainable psychological well-being among youth. References: Setia, S., Gilbert, F., Tichy, M., et al. (2025). Digital Detox Strategies and Mental Health: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of Why, Where, and How. Cureus, 17(1), e78250. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.78250 Setia, S., Tichy, M., & Gilbert, F. (2024). Innovating Social-Emotional Learning to Enhance Positive Engagement of Youth With Social Media: A Comprehensive Review of Why and How. Cureus, 16(9), e70130. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.70130 Setia, S., & Tichy, M. (2024). Success4Life Youth Empowerment Pilot for Promoting Well-Being in University Students: A Qualitative Study. Cureus, 16(11), e72858. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.72858 Setia, S., Furtner, D., Bendahmane, M., et al. (2022). Success4life Youth Empowerment for Promoting Well-being and Boosting Mental Health: Protocol for an Experimental Study. JMIR Res Protoc, 11(9), e38463. https://doi.org/10.2196/38463
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM
40346 - The Role of Telemedicine in Equitable Access and Digital Inclusion in Global Mental Health
I will be discussing the role of telemedicine, specifically the TeleManas initiative, in improving equitable access to mental health care in Kashmir, a region severely affected by decades of violence and ongoing conflict. Mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse have become increasingly prevalent in Kashmir due to the prolonged violence. The ongoing unrest has left many individuals grappling with the emotional and psychological toll of living in a conflict zone, yet mental health services are severely lacking in the region. Kashmir faces a significant shortage of mental health professionals, with a psychiatrist-to-population ratio of just 0.1 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, which is far below the global average of 9.1 psychiatrists per 100,000 in high-income countries (WHO, 2017). This disparity is compounded by the geographical isolation of many areas in Kashmir, particularly during the harsh winter months, when snow-blocked roads make it difficult for individuals in remote villages to travel and access essential services, including mental health care. This is where TeleManas steps in. TeleManas, an initiative launched by the Government of India, leverages the power of telemedicine to provide 24/7 mental health support via audio and video consultations. This service aims to bring mental health care to the most vulnerable populations, particularly in remote areas where access to in-person mental health professionals is almost impossible, especially during the winter months when roads are closed due to heavy snowfall. TeleManas offers a confidential, safe, and immediate platform for individuals in Kashmir to connect with trained mental health professionals without the need for physical visits. This is incredibly important, especially in a region like Kashmir, where cultural stigma around mental health care often deters people from seeking help in traditional settings. Many individuals in Kashmir, especially those affected by the ongoing violence, may be reluctant to seek care in person due to fear of judgment or the risk of being identified, but TeleManas allows for greater privacy and discretion. The service is particularly beneficial for individuals who are isolated or live in remote areas, where accessing a local clinic may take hours or even days. During winter, when snowfall and blocked roads make transportation nearly impossible, TeleManas ensures that no one is left without the support they need. The initiative also helps to address the shortage of mental health professionals by providing access to qualified psychiatrists and counselors through digital platforms. However, there are challenges to digital inclusion that must be addressed for TeleManas to reach its full potential. Issues like poor internet connectivity and low digital literacy remain significant barriers. Many people in remote areas lack the necessary infrastructure or skills to use digital platforms effectively. For TeleManas to be truly impactful, these barriers must be tackled through improved internet access, training programs in digital literacy, and a continued effort to integrate telemedicine into Kashmir's healthcare framework. In conclusion, TeleManas provides a critical lifeline for those in Kashmir, especially those affected by the trauma of violence and conflict. By leveraging telemedicine, we can overcome geographical, social, and cultural barriers to ensure equitable access to mental health care. This initiative is a promising step toward providing much-needed support for the mental health of the Kashmiri population, particularly during times when physical access to care is severely limited.
3:00 PM - 3:10 PM
46726 - To Mask or Not to Mask - Perspectives from Lived Experiences with cPTSD and a Neuro-atypical brain
I would like to challenge conventional thinking as it relates to psychological masking by sharing stories from my lived experiences. I will challenge the audience to consider who is actually doing the masking and my perspectives on the impact to myself. I will introduce a metaphor of how I at times have lived my life as a chipmunk in regard to the autonomic nervous system. Does the chipmunk wear a mask or do those who interact with the chipmunk wear a mask so that they can observe it?
3:10 PM - 3:20 PM
A039 - Tech-enabled Wellness: Shaping Digital Lifestyles for Wellness
3:20 PM - 3:30 PM
40192 - Adolescent Depression and Social Media Use: What Evidence Exists to Restrict Social Media?
This study examined existing literature to explore the complex relationship between adolescent depression and social media use, highlighting the multifaceted impacts of digital interactions on mental health. On the one hand, recent research indicates that excessive use of social media platforms can contribute to increased feelings of depression and anxiety among adolescents, primarily through mechanisms such as cyberbullying, social comparison, and exposure to unrealistic life portrayals. On the other hand, social media can also serve as a source of support, allowing adolescents to connect with peers who share similar experiences, thereby fostering belonging and self-expression. Existing meta-analysis found a small but significant correlation between social media use and depression, while others found inconclusive results. However, the interplay between social media use and mental health is further complicated by factors such as pre-existing mental health issues, social and family context, demographic setting, content consumption, and individual differences in users. Although the current body of literature sheds light on these dynamics, further longitudinal studies are necessary to fully understand the causal relationships and contextual influences at play. This study underscores the importance of promoting healthy social media habits and encouraging open discussions about mental health among adolescents.
3:30 PM - 3:40 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.
3:40 PM - 3:50 PM
45076 - Talk to Me Like a Human: The Future of AI Conversations Has Arrived
Sentient Interaction Design is an emergent human-computer interaction (HCI) theory that I'm proposing is a shift beyond the static feedback loops of affective computing (Höök, 2008) toward dynamic, emotionally co-regulated, and contextually adaptive interactions between users and AI systems. Unlike traditional affective computing, which relies on recognition and response models based on inferred emotion states, Sentient Interaction Design emphasizes the co-creation of emotional meaning over time through multimodal cues such as voice prosody, pacing, facial expression, and memory-informed continuity.
This theory frames conversational AI not as a reactive tool, but as a semi-autonomous social participant that learns to mirror, scaffold, and gently shape the user’s emotional journey using safe, ethically bounded simulation. Sentient Interaction Design enables greater relational depth, trust, and therapeutic potential—particularly in voice-first, mental health-focused applications—by embedding psychological safety, user agency, and ethical guardrails directly into the interaction loop.
In contrast to affective loop theory, which centres on recognition-response cycles, Sentient Interaction Design introduces a “reflective ladder” model—an iterative ascent of emotional understanding, supported by user-led disclosure, avatar resonance, and real-time emotional calibration.