As demand for mental health services skyrockets, millions remain without access to timely support. Traditional systems are stretched beyond capacity, unable to meet the need, leaving millions without the information, care, support or treatment they deserve. Addressing this disparity is the driving force behind the eMental Health International Collaborative (eMHIC).
At the heart of eMHIC is a fundamental belief: mental health care should be accessible to all, regardless of the location, background, or socioeconomic status of the person seeking help. This belief drives eMHIC’s relentless pursuit of safe and effective digital mental health solutions that transcend geopolitical boundaries and provide timely, 24/7 access to mental health care when people need it most.
eMHIC’s executive director, Professor Anil Thapliyal, is firm in his conviction – “We must focus on the service user, their families and caregivers. If it does not work for them, it does not work at all.”
Championing a digital-first approach to mental health
eMHIC was born from an urgent need to bridge the gaps in mental health services by harnessing the power of digital technology. The global mental health crisis is not just a challenge—it is also an opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and create a system that works for everyone. eMHIC exists to champion this transformation by fostering a series of thriving international collaborative global knowledge exchange programs at a practical and pragmatic level.
To create high-impact outcomes from often inadequately resourced mental health services, these knowledge exchange programs are deliberately anchored in, and informed by, successful digital mental health implementation exemplars already working sustainably and scalably in many countries.
eMHIC collaborates with governments to practically inform their journey to:
- Develop digital mental health policies, standards, and accreditation pathways.
- Ensure the authentic inclusion of individuals with lived experience.
- Ensure mental health workforce development.
- Integrate academic research into real-world implementation.
- Partner with industry to drive innovation.
The mission is clear: to build capacity, share knowledge, and accelerate the adoption of technologies that provide scalable solutions for mental health challenges worldwide.
Disseminating vital knowledge to drive change
eMHIC actively disseminates vital information to support the evolution, widespread adoption and global implementation of effective digital mental health solutions through several key initiatives:
- Knowledge Bank: A comprehensive repository offering news, case studies, digital tools, expert opinions, and global developments to keep stakeholders informed about the latest in digital mental health
- Webinars: Regular virtual events featuring international experts, including government officials, product developers, researchers, clinicians, and individuals with lived experience, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across borders.
- Newsletters: Monthly publications that update subscribers on recent news, developments, and resources in digital mental health, ensuring the community stays informed about advancements and opportunities.
- eMHIC Congress: eMHIC’s flagship annual event, uniquely focused on the real-world implementation of sustainable and scalable digital mental health solutions. Unlike other conferences, the Congress prioritizes peer-to-peer collaboration to drive tangible impact, ensuring that efforts are complementary rather than duplicative.
Case Study: empowering innovation in Canada’s mental health strategy
Director of Mental Health and Addictions at the Government of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, Niki Legge has witnessed firsthand the transformative influence of global collaboration in the digital mental health space. Niki’s experience as an eMHIC member represents a powerful example of eMHIC’s impact. “Joining eMHIC has been an invaluable experience that I deeply appreciate,” she says. “The ongoing exchange of knowledge about digital mental health advancements and innovative frameworks from fellow international members empowers us to uphold superior practices within our initiatives.”
Through eMHIC, Canada’s provincial health leaders have gained access to leading-edge digital mental health insights, directly informing policy and expanding access to care. By leveraging global expertise, Newfoundland and Labrador have integrated scalable, culturally responsive solutions into their mental health framework—demonstrating the power of collaboration in driving real-world change.
eMHIC’s executive director, Professor Anil Thapliyal, accompanied by The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of the Wellcome Trust, presents UN Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed with a Korowai, a traditional Māori cloak symbolizing prestige, honor, leadership, and the wearer’s mana (spiritual power) and status within their iwi (tribe), at the UN Mental Health in Humanitarian Settings Retreat (New York, 2024).
A collaborative and inclusive movement
Mental health care is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Nor is mental health a solitary journey—it is a shared responsibility that requires the expertise, insights, and experiences of a diverse network of stakeholders.
The rapid advancement of digital technology presents an unprecedented opportunity to rethink how mental health services are delivered, from AI-driven mental health assessments to peer support platforms and telehealth interventions in areas as diverse as – well-being to mild to moderate to acute and chronic mental health needs.
eMHIC recognizes that digital solutions are the future of mental health care. It is unwavering in its belief that these solutions must be culturally competent, adaptable, and responsive to the needs of different communities. Therefore, it actively promotes solutions tethered to the pillars of diversity, accessibility, and equity.
Ensuring no one is left behind
Mental health challenges have no geopolitical boundaries and do not discriminate—they affect individuals everywhere, across all walks of life, from young people navigating the pressures of modern society to older adults struggling with isolation. Via its network, eMHIC is looking at the role of available technologies in various jurisdictions to improve timely access to mental health care, care, support or treatment.
This commitment is not just theoretical but backed by action. eMHIC’s impact is tangible, shaping policy, practice, and public perception of what truly 24/7 accessible mental health care can and should be.
Join the digital mental health revolution
The future of mental health care is digital—will you be part of shaping it? Whether you are a policymaker, clinician, researcher, industry representative, or someone with lived experience, eMHIC invites you to be part of this global movement. The conversation doesn’t stop here. eMHIC25, the 10th Digital Mental Health Global Congress, will be a landmark event. Themed ‘Global Mental Health Equity: Digital Solutions for an Interconnected World,’ it will bring together global leaders, innovators, and changemakers to drive real change, shape a bold, inclusive vision for the future of mental health care, and create a world where digital mental health solutions are not just available but are universally accessible, inclusive, and transformative.
To learn more about how you can be part of eMHIC25 visit the official event site here. Learn more about eMHIC here.