1:40 PM - 1:45 PM
S10.6 - Facilitator
1:45 PM - 1:55 PM
48414 - Bridging the Gap: Sakina’s Digital Solutions for Mental Health Equity
In under two years since its launch, SAKINA has transformed mental health care across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, based on its key strategic pillars: awareness & prevention; access to clinical care; rehabilitation, and functional recovery. This presentation, titled “Equity in Action: Sakina’s Digital Frontiers in Global Mental Health,” will highlight SAKINA’s digital infrastructure and flagship solutions designed to build a comprehensive digital ecosystem to address mental health care gaps in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
This presentation will shed light on key digital innovation initiatives aimed at enhancing brain health and cognitive care.
At the center of our Digital strategy is PURA, a personalized digital mental health platform that offers tiered support: self-help tools based on CBT and mindfulness, access to professional consultations, guided exercises, and psychoeducational content. PURA is designed with scalability and inclusivity in mind, serving youth, caregivers, and working adults with culturally adapted, multilingual content.
iMIND is a study evaluating the effectiveness of home-based biofeedback training—using Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and neurofeedback on cognitive function in older adults experiencing early cognitive decline.
RESIDUAL is a digital phenotyping study designed to detect residual symptoms in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). By analyzing behavioral and app-derived data, the system aims to provide early warnings of relapse risk.
HiPAL, a gamified, user-friendly cognitive screening tool designed for early detection of cognitive decline. Delivered via mobile app, HiPAL makes routine cognitive checks engaging and accessible for both older adults and their caregivers.
Network-wide electronic medical record system: Malaffi and Salamtak serve as a foundational digital infrastructure, enhancing Sakina’s ability to deliver integrated, timely, and data-driven mental health solutions across the healthcare system
By linking with Malaffi, (Abu Dhabi’s pioneering Health Information Exchange (HIE) securely connecting over 2,700 public and private healthcare facilities, aggregating clinical data into a unified, longitudinal health record) and Salamtak (Cerner electronic medical record (EMR) system), Sakina’s services gain seamless access to comprehensive patient data, empowering early identification and personalized intervention, and The UAE’s Controlled Medicine Portal (commonly known as NPCM) strengthens patient safety, supports responsible prescribing, bolsters national public health, and enhances convenience.
Care Coordination across disciplines: EMR-based Screening prompts and Referral nudges embedded in Salamtak ensure patients with anxiety, depression, or cognitive decline get guided care pathways and follow-up support, in routine chronic disease follow-up visits. that guide physicians to appropriate services when red flags appear.
Together, these initiatives represent a cohesive, tech-enabled strategy for advancing mental health across diverse populations, with a strong focus on prevention, early detection, and sustained recovery.
A major focus will be the Digital Wellness Clinic dedicated to patients with Technology-Related
Disorders (TRD), such as screen addiction, gaming disorder, and social media overuse. The clinic delivers structured digital detox plans, family-based interventions, behavioral therapy, and digital hygiene education, leveraging telehealth and app-based tools.
1:55 PM - 2:05 PM
47207 - Compassion Meets Innovation: Advancing Crisis Support with Human and Digital Tools
As the global mental health crisis intensifies, digital communication platforms have emerged as vital lifelines—particularly for younger generations, underserved populations, and individuals in acute distress. Yet, the question remains: how do we preserve authentic human connection in an increasingly tech-driven world?
This session explores how Solari, a U.S.-based nonprofit and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline partner, is leading the charge in integrating human empathy with digital innovation across hotline, text, and chat services. With over a decade of expertise operating 24/7 crisis lines and specialized digital triage systems, Solari offers real-world strategies and frameworks that blend compassionate care with cutting-edge tools to meet individuals where they are—when they need it most.
Attendees will learn how AI-enhanced triage, real-time monitoring systems, and human-centered design principles are used to optimize safety, engagement, and accessibility. The presentation will highlight the ethical and operational considerations of digital crisis support, including cultural and linguistic inclusion, workforce readiness, and maintaining quality across modalities.
Whether it’s a teen reaching out via text in the middle of the night or a rural elder seeking support by phone, Solari’s model illustrates how deeply integrated systems—designed with humanity at their core—can transform crisis intervention into a more responsive, equitable, and effective global framework.
This session is ideal for mental health professionals, technology developers, and system leaders interested in scalable, inclusive solutions at the intersection of human service and digital infrastructure.
2:05 PM - 2:15 PM
45218 - What’s New and Next with Bridge the gapp?
Ms. Kate Lambert, Program and Policy Development Specialist, Department of Health and Community Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Bridge the gapp is Newfoundland and Labrador’s go-to website for mental health, substance use, and addictions information and resources. In 2024, nearly 90,000 people used Bridge the gapp to visit the knowledge centre, find services and supports, sign-up for free online programs, use e-mental health tools, and share personal stories and messages of support. Bridge the gapp is also promoted as one of three key provincial access points to mental health, substance use, and addictions services. A Government of Newfoundland and Labrador asset, customized versions of Bridge the gapp are also supported in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, along with a national site. Building on its reputation as a trusted and up-to-date source of information for clients, family members, and health care and other service professionals, Bridge the gapp is actively evolving. Through consultations with partners representing e-mental health, communications, youth and young adults, lived voice, and mental health promotion, it was determined that Bridge the gapp requires a refresh to align with current trends in website development and to improve user experience. This presentation will share learnings related to Bridge the gapp’s planned transformation for 2025. The refresh will capture both creative and technical updates to enhance functionality and user engagement. This is anticipated to capture enhancements such as upgrades to the site’s chatbot (Bridget), the integration of self-referral pathways to health authority-based mental health and addictions services, live chat connections, as well as improved filtering, search, and geolocation features to organize and focus content. This presentation will also highlight the integral role of people with lived and living experience in the co-creation and evolution of Bridge the gapp. Lifewise, the only provincial organization in Newfoundland and Labrador created by and for individuals living with mental health and addictions issues, is a key partner in strategic direction, content review, program testing, and connection with peer support. Their role in and perspectives on the benefits of Bridge the gapp’s refresh will be discussed.
2:25 PM - 2:35 PM
46915 - Open Platforms to Benefit the Worldwide Mental Health Community
This case study reveals how a global collaboration transformed mental health crisis intervention for 17+ national helplines spanning six different continents. We'll demonstrate how purpose-built technology—designed with and for the mental health community—can revolutionize digital mental health operations worldwide. The Aselo platform emerged from a collaboration between frontline counselors serving vulnerable youth and two nonprofit organizations, Tech Matters and Child Helpline International. Rather than imposing tech solutions, we established a co-development ecosystem where frontline helpline practitioners drove design decisions, creating a crisis intervention platform specifically engineered for helpline counseling. We'll present evidence from our implementation across 17 countries. Key implementation sites include Canada, Zambia, Jamaica, Thailand, and New Zealand—each representing unique cultural contexts and infrastructure challenges to overcome. Our network approach has paved a path for cross-sector global mental health collaboration, including new possibilities for shared data and knowledge: • Streamlined sharing of anonymized crisis intervention patterns • Cross-border knowledge exchange on emerging mental health trends • How to introduce AI applications ethically and responsibly in a counselling context • Collaborative development of evidence-based intervention protocols We'll provide attendees with our implementation methodology across diverse economic contexts, including phased deployment strategies and adapting to infrastructure and resource limitations. The presentation culminates with our vision for open mental health technology—where innovations from any organization can be quickly deployed worldwide. We'll demonstrate how this approach breaks dependency on commercial priorities and creates technology truly centered on mental health outcomes above all.
2:35 PM - 2:45 PM
46910 - Subscale-Level Improvements in Cognitive Behavioral Skills and Readiness to Change Through a Digital CBT Program for Substance Use
Introduction: Digital interventions offer scalable and accessible options for addressing substance use disorders (SUDs). PocketSkills is a self-guided, 12-week internet-based dialectical behaviour therapy (iDBT) program developed to support individuals seeking treatment for SUDs by teaching DBT skills such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. While previous research suggests that higher treatment credibility and expectancy predict better outcomes in traditional psychotherapy, their role in digital interventions remains unclear. This study aimed to assess whether baseline treatment credibility and expectancy were associated with improvements in clinical outcomes following iDBT.
Methods: A total of 72 participants were initially randomized to one of two treatment conditions: (1) immediate start or (2) a four-week waitlist. The current study includes participants from both conditions but only those who completed both the baseline and 12-week follow-up assessments while engaging with PocketSkills (N = 59). Treatment expectancy and credibility were assessed using the Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ). Outcome variables included depression symptoms (PHQ-9), emotion dysregulation (DERS-SF), distress tolerance (DTS), and mindful awareness (MAAS). Multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine whether credibility and expectancy scores predicted change scores on each outcome measure.
Results: Regression results indicated that CEQ scores did not reliably predict changes across most outcomes. The model for depression approached significance (F(2,56) = 2.56, p = .086), with marginal associations for both credibility (β = .281, p = .059) and expectancy (β = –.289, p = .053). The model for emotion dysregulation (DERS-SF) was significant (F(2,56) = 3.68, p = .031), with credibility positively associated with improvement (β = .390, p = .009); expectancy was non-significant (p = .192). No significant results were observed for distress tolerance (F(2,55) = .232, p = .794) or mindfulness (F(2,55) = 1.43, p = .248).
Conclusions: Findings suggest that baseline credibility and expectancy may not consistently predict outcomes in digital DBT for SUD. While credibility showed a modest association with improvements in emotion dysregulation, neither credibility or expectancy predicted change in depression, distress tolerance, or mindfulness. These results may be encouraging for emerging e-health interventions, indicating that users can benefit from digital treatments regardless of initial expectations. Further research should explore additional user-level and treatment-specific factors that contribute to digital intervention success.
2:45 PM - 2:55 PM
45163 - Crisis Care, Suicide Prevention and Connection in the Virtual WellScape
The VR WellSpace project is about creating safe welcoming spaces in virtual reality where people experiencing emotional distress can find relief, escape and human connection based in peer support and best practices for crisis care. This presentation will feature discussion of our lived-experience driven eco-system development, prototype imagery, key mechanics, user experience and research parameters and gamification elements. Attendees will be invited to participate in simulive interactive voting on 2-3 core questions pertinent to the product and market. Current data shows that at least half of U.S. families (51%) experienced a mental-health related crisis during the past year. In 2023, 58.7M Americans, about 23% of the population, reported mental health challenges, and more than 12.8M individuals reported serious thoughts of suicide. The U.S. National Guidelines for Crisis Care call for investment in three health intercepts: 1) “Someone to talk to” 2) “Someone to respond”, and (3) “A safe place to be”. Notwithstanding the expansion of 988 crisis call centers, mobile crisis services and short-term crisis stabilization programs that offer “environmental relief,” many barriers exist for people experiencing crisis who do not meet psychiatric emergency criteria, and for the healthcare and government agencies that seek to meet their needs. Co-developed with our clinical Research Partner University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry, and Product Partner Juego Studios, this innovation, the “WellSpace,” will provide immersive support in a contained VR ecosystem, reducing systemic costs and barriers while improving outcomes for mental health and suicide. The WellSpace model, based on existing “Social VR” games, replicates elements of physical crisis homes, with trauma-informed, emotional regulation activities. Unique to VR, customizable scenes, sound/music and creation of personal “comfort rooms” extend the empowerment of user “Guests,” who are supported to utilize VR headsets and transition into the experience. After rating themselves on a Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS), Guests select desired activities, supported ‘in-game’ by trained peer specialist companions, with a focus on connectedness as a protective factor against suicide. Our teams Rapid Application Development (RAD) process with a major VR and game developer (Juego Studios), is informed by the WellSpace User Experience Advisory group (WUXA), including people with lived crisis experience. Meanwhile our Research Team will develop a ground-breaking framework to advance research in this new arena, including modeling of tech-specific biometric data, methodologies, and robust outcome instruments for beta-level clinical testing (ideally through SBIR Phase II funding). Preliminary data, feasibility and acceptability of the prototype will be assessed by the WUXA and industry advisors, through alpha use testing focused on design and mechanics. Initial commercialization will be directed to large behavioral health providers and government agencies while future versions are envisioned as directly accessible to consumers, eliminating barriers to compassionate crisis care and connection worldwide.
2:55 PM - 3:05 PM
41810 - Safer Systems, Smarter Care: A Digital Leap in Forensic Mental Health at CAMH Patient Safety Within Forensic Services
This presentation will delve into the innovative journey of the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH), Ontario's largest hospital-based forensic program, in leveraging digital health solutions to significantly enhance patient safety within its forensic services. Following high-profile incidents of unauthorized leaves of absence (ULOAs) in 2019, CAMH undertook a comprehensive review and implemented a series of digital interventions, including the development of customized dashboards within the electronic health record (EHR), a Forensic Pass Ladder integrated with electronic pass management tools, and real-time data capture methods for program attendance. This presentation will showcase how these digital solutions addressed critical challenges in pass and privilege management, improved communication, and provided clinicians with meaningful visualizations of key indicators for decision-making. Furthermore, it will highlight the tangible benefits achieved, such as a significant decrease in ULOAs and improved data accuracy, alongside intangible benefits like enhanced clinician experience and potential for greater patient engagement. This case study offers valuable insights for healthcare organizations globally seeking to utilize digital health to improve safety and outcomes in forensic mental health settings.