Global Mental Health Symposium
Two of the most significant issues of the 21st century came together at a Worldwide Universities (WUN) Global Mental Health Symposium recently hosted by the University of Cape Town.
Centred on the theme Digital Mental Health and Inequalities, the symposium explored how digital innovations can address and inadvertently deepen existing disparities in mental health access and outcomes.
With delegates attending from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, there was agreement that ensuring positive outcomes in advancing digital innovation required global collaboration, interdisciplinary partnerships, and collective problem-solving to develop and protect equitable approaches to mental health and well-being.
Dr Memory Muturiki from the University of Cape Town’s Student Wellness Service and chair of the UCT Symposium Organising Committee says a symposium research collaboration café was a popular venue at the two-day meeting.
“I look forward to seeing ideas and research collaborations emerge from the lively conversations in that café. It is by working together that we can accelerate progress in research which will impact practice and policy, making digital mental health services more inclusive and equitable.”