The quiet struggle with mental health is made even harder by stigma, leading to deep isolation and shame that makes it immensely difficult to reach out for help. The 2022 Lancet Commission on ending stigma and discrimination in mental health confirmed this, with its main finding: “Stigma and discrimination can be worse than the impact of the mental health condition itself.”

This challenge is often amplified for marginalized individuals, minority groups, and people living with trauma or managing multiple health conditions, who face unique barriers and heightened societal pressures.

But there is real hope. Digital tools and peer-support communities are a powerful path forward. The transformative impact of these innovations is already in motion, fostering a more accepting and inclusive society.

Join our expert speakers for a deep conversation that explores practical ideas and proven solutions that are actively reshaping how we experience mental health. By leveraging digital technologies, countless organizations are already fostering greater empathy, amplifying lived experience stories, and building a future where reaching out for support is simply a natural part of a healthy life.

Key Discussion Points: 

• Digital Platforms and Lived Experience: How key benefits such as accessibility, shared community and anonymity directly help to lessen mental health stigma.
• Social Connection as Intervention: Exploring recent work by the World Health Organization and research published in The Lancet that shows social contact is one of the most evidence-based interventions for reducing stigma.
• Personalized Paths to Acceptance: Examples from Australia (The Herd - Batyr) and England (the Time to Change campaign, which ran from 2007 to 2021) highlight how digital platforms and public campaigns (amplified via social media) can foster self-acceptance, enhance digital literacy, and reduce both societal prejudice and internalized stigma.
• Fostering Inclusive Digital Communities: How harnessing the power of online peer support and digital storytelling helps to reduce isolation and promote understanding through shared experiences.
• Future of Acceptance: Why the outlook for eliminating stigma and championing mental well-being is bright.