While great challenges call for great innovation, a dialogue on ‘what is’ and ‘how to do’, mental health innovation is much needed.
“Mental health innovation” is a relatively new and emerging field. There is still a need to determine a working consensus on definitions, practices, and recommendations for ethical and comprehensive innovation.
To address this gap, the Global MINDS Collective and MINDS of London Middlesex invites Canadians dedicated to improving the mental health and psychosocial well-being of individuals and communities to the first Canadian Mental Health Innovation (CMHI) Imaginarium.
The CMHI Imaginarium will foster a collaborative space to (re)imagine and (re)define Canadian mental health innovation. Through a participatory and consultative process, attendees will set strategic priorities for evolving the field.
What is the Imaginarium?
The CMHI Imaginarium occurs virtually and welcomes the Canadian community to harness a collective capacity to deeply listen, connect, and begin to establish a strong foundation for collaboration and change. Over one day, through interactive and participatory dialoguing approaches and human-centred design techniques, interwoven with mindful practices, participants will explore key questions and ideas to unpack mental health innovation in Canada.
Participants are encouraged to share their initiatives, campaigns, or new publications for peer learning. A virtual showcase of mental health innovations and a youth performance will also highlight the evidence, creativity and activism of Canadians for mental health innovation. The event concludes through a co-visioning session to solidify new relational and action-based capacities that can carry forward national and regional initiatives for Canadian Mental Health Innovation.
What are our objectives at the Imaginarium?
Participants will work together to address the following:
1. (Re)imagine and (re)define Canadian mental health innovation
2. Understand the landscape of Canadian mental health innovation (e.g., actors, initiatives, values and principles, tools and techniques, evaluation and impact processes)
3. Recognize the strengths and limitations (e.g., resource flows) of Canadian mental health innovation
4. Investigate the concerns (e.g., ethical in nature) of Canadian mental health innovation, including addressing the notion of ‘innovation as a buzzword’
5. Reflect on the role of technology and artificial intelligence for Canadian mental health innovation
6. Discuss how to leverage the insights, strengths, and capacities of people with lived experience in catalyzing Canadian mental health innovation
7. Determine actions that should be taken by a Task Team on Canadian Mental Health Innovation by recognizing key opportunities and challenges that a new agenda for Canadian mental health innovation raises
Registration will open in August 2023. Until then, tell us what you’d like to explore by adding your ideas to this 5-minute community survey.
Virtual Art Gallery
The CMHI Imaginarium has a Virtual Art Gallery of Mental Health Innovation in Canada!
The virtual gallery is a way to encourage individuals to embrace innovation in mental health through artistic and creative means. We hope that this may encourage and inspire individuals to feel connected through artistic elements. We would be so thrilled if you submitted a work of art (painting, drawing, photographs, pottery, music, video, poetry, etc.) that you are proud of that either helped you with your mental health journey; or an artwork that you’re working on that motivates and encourages a healthy mindset/lifestyle for you.
View our gallery here.
Who are the participants?
We welcome anyone who works to support the well-being of all. This includes individuals with lived experience, youth, representatives of grassroot organizations, civil society organizations, local and international NGOs, government bodies, and funding agencies working in the mental health and psychosocial space.
Individuals across expertise and experience are encouraged to attend, including artists and musicians, teachers, activists, architects and engineers, peacebuilders and mediators, and others. We invite students, emerging professionals, and experts from all sectors who are interested in further expanding this growing field through a process of (re)imagining and (re)defining Canadian mental health innovation.
Stay tuned for..
Applications to host the Youth Performance
Will open in late June 2023. The Youth Performance will be an art, dance, and/or song shared with participants, to reflect the time spent together and inspire a way to move forward. An application process will be made available to select this performance.
Applications to present at the Blitz
Virtual Showcase will open in late June 2023. The Blitz: Virtual Showcase welcomes individuals/organizations to share their programs, research, ideas, and initiatives for Canadian Mental Health Innovation through 7-minute presentations. An application process will be made available to select these individuals.
