International discussions on mental health care and tech at MindTech Summit

What does the future of digital behavioural health look like? At the MindTech Summit at Erasmus University Rotterdam, a group of international and national experts explored exactly that question. The two days of the summit were fully packed with talks, discussions and working sessions on the intersection of tech, AI, and mental health. ‘We’re ready to dive into the future of digital mental health solutions.’

The average waiting time for mental health care has been on the rise. Many people do not receive help in time, leading to health deterioration and eventually higher health and societal costs. The MindTech Summit invited seventy experts and junior researchers in digital behavioural health to discuss one of the solutions to this problem: the use of technology and AI.

‘Technology can help improve patient literacy, self-monitoring, prevention and promoting a healthy lifestyle.’ Says one of the summit organizers, prof. dr. Manon Hillegers. ‘But both academia and industry experience obstacles in bringing technical solutions to end users. This summit bridges the gap between both worlds.’

Prof. dr. Loes Keijsers, another member of the organization committee: ‘As far as we know, this was the first international expert meeting with industry representatives and academic researchers on mental healthcare, tech, and AI. Together we created a comprehensive agenda to strengthen knowledge and lay the foundation of future collaboration and innovation. More than ever, we are ready to dive into the future of mental health solutions.’

Hillegers and Keijsers are two of the leads of ProtectMe. ProtectMe is a Flagship project of Convergence Health and Technology that aims to develop innovative technological tools that can identify adolescents at risk of mental health issues at an earlier stage. Together with Rutger Engels, Marilisa Boffo, and Danielle Remmerswaal, experts in digital behavioural health at Erasmus University Rotterdam, they organized this first MindTech Summit.