Beyond Innovation: A Framework for Digital Mental Health Implementation
Francesca Edelmann, Dr. Gareth Hopkin, and Dr. John Torous led this webinar discussing a newly developed framework designed to categorize digital mental health technologies (DMHTs) across eight key domains. The session addressed the challenges created by the lack of standardized classification in this evolving field and explored how the proposed framework offers a structured approach to improve clarity and application. Attendees gained insights into how this framework can support stakeholders in evaluating and implementing DMHTs effectively.
Gareth Hopkin
Gareth is a Scientific Adviser in the Science Policy and Research Team at NICE, leading a Wellcome-funded project on digital mental health technology regulation and evaluation. He also contributes to other research across various health conditions and technologies. Gareth began his career in mental health research and holds a PhD in Health Services Research from King’s College London. He has worked for several health technology assessment agencies in the UK and Canada, with extensive experience in health economics and outcomes research.
Francesca Edelmann
Francesca Edelmann is Manager of Digital Mental Health at the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), where she has worked for over five years. Since May 2023, she has led a Wellcome Trust–funded project focused on the regulation and evaluation of digital mental health technologies
John Torous, MD, MBI
Dr. Torous directs the Digital Psychiatry division at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, affiliated with Harvard Medical School. He's a psychiatrist and faculty member, with a background in engineering and computer science. He completed his education at UC Berkeley and UC San Diego before pursuing residency and fellowships at Harvard. He's a leading figure in exploring mobile mental health technologies, with numerous publications and leadership roles in psychiatric associations and research programs. Additionally, he serves as the editor-in-chief of JMIR Mental Health.