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Join us May 17 – 20 at APA's 2025 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles to learn what's next in mental health technology!
Advanced solutions to today’s challenges in psychiatric care.
The Mental Health Innovation Zone (MHIZ) is an interactive feature of the APA’s Annual Meeting, dedicated to showcasing and discussing technological advancements in psychiatry. This segment brings together psychiatrists and mental health clinicians to explore modern solutions to the challenges faced by professionals in the field. MHIZ includes distinguished speakers and content designed to advance psychiatric practice and highlight innovations in mental health technology.
2025 MHIZ Schedule
Saturday, May 17
9:30 - 10:00 a.m.
MHIZ Welcome Session & Kick-off
The MHIZ panels will explore how digital influencers, educators, and advocates are using social media and new media platforms to destigmatize mental health discussions. Experts will discuss the power of storytelling, creative content, and community engagement in shaping public perceptions and providing accessible mental health resources. Attendees will gain insights into the impact of digital content on mental health awareness, as well as the challenges and responsibilities of creators in this evolving space.
Social Q: How Innovative Content Creators are Promoting Conversations on Mental Health
This panel will explore how digital influencers, educators, and advocates are using social media and new media platforms to destigmatize mental health discussions. Experts will discuss the power of storytelling, creative content, and community engagement in shaping public perceptions and providing accessible mental health resources. Attendees will gain insights into the impact of digital content on mental health awareness, as well as the challenges and responsibilities of creators in this evolving space.
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Minds & Machines: The Next Frontier in AI-Driven Mental Health Care
Exploring the transformative potential of Generative AI in psychiatry, this panel brings together experts to discuss its applications in mental health diagnosis, personalized treatment planning, and therapeutic interventions. Panelists will examine how AI-driven tools, such as chatbots and predictive models, can enhance patient care while addressing ethical considerations, data privacy, and the importance of human oversight. The discussion will also highlight future directions, challenges, and opportunities for integrating Generative AI into psychiatric practice to improve outcomes and accessibility.
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
As Seen on TV
The As Seen on TV presentation will analyze key scenes from popular TV shows featuring psychiatrists, focusing on the therapeutic techniques and approaches employed by these characters. By assessing their communication styles, interventions, and ethical considerations, we can gain insights into both the accuracy and dramatization of mental health treatment on screen. Psychiatrist will then discuss the proper ways to provide care based on the information displayed on screen. Through this analysis, we'll highlight the strengths and limitations of media depictions of psychiatry.
Sunday, May 18
9:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Wired for Wellness: Innovations in Neurointerventional Psychiatry
This panel will explore groundbreaking advancements in the integration of neurointervention and psychiatry, focusing on transformative techniques such as neuromodulation, precision imaging, and non-invasive brain stimulation. Experts will discuss how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, transcranial ultrasound, and targeted therapies are reshaping treatments for mental health disorders, offering novel solutions for conditions like depression and treatment-resistant psychiatric illnesses. This session aims to highlight the potential of personalized approaches and cutting-edge tools to revolutionize patient care, fostering collaboration across neuroscience and psychiatry.
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
The Future of Well-Being: Digital Health Meets Lifestyle Medicine
This panel on Digital Health and Lifestyle Medicine will examine how technology-driven solutions are transforming preventive and integrative care. Experts will discuss the role of digital therapeutics, wearable devices, and AI-powered interventions in optimizing mental and physical health through personalized lifestyle strategies. Attendees will gain insights into the intersection of digital innovation, behavioral science, and holistic approaches to wellness.
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Sponsor Presentation: Navigating schizophrenia: Perspectives across the care continuum
Join us for Navigating schizophrenia: Perspectives across the care continuum, a panel discussion that brings together the diverse perspectives of patients and those supporting their care. Together, we'll explore the current landscape in the treatment of schizophrenia and the hopes and expectations for the future of care for those living with schizophrenia and those participating in their care.
Noon - 12:45 p.m.
From Clinic to CEO: The Rise of the Psychiatrist Entrepreneur
This panel highlights the growing role of psychiatrist entrepreneurs who are bridging the gap between mental health care and innovation. Leaders in the field will share their experiences launching startups, developing digital therapeutics, and creating scalable solutions to address gaps in mental health access and treatment. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship, from securing funding and navigating regulations to balancing clinical practice with business leadership.
12:45 - 1:30 p.m.
AI Beware: Unpacking the Risks and Harms of Artificial Intelligence
This panel delves into the potential risks and unintended consequences of artificial intelligence, focusing on its ethical, social, and psychological harms. Experts will discuss issues such as algorithmic bias, data privacy concerns, and the impact of AI on mental health, employment, and societal trust. The conversation aims to raise awareness, foster critical thinking, and explore strategies to mitigate these risks while ensuring responsible AI development and deployment.
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Mindgames Live Residency Competition
MindGames, APA’s national residency team competition, is a fun way for residents to test their knowledge on patient care, medical knowledge, and psychiatric history while earning bragging rights for their program.
Monday, May 19
9:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Bytes & Minds: Integrating Digital Data into Psychiatry
This panel on Integrating Digital Data into Psychiatric Care will explore how real-time data from wearables, mobile apps, and electronic health records can enhance diagnosis, treatment, and patient monitoring. Experts will discuss the potential of digital biomarkers, AI-driven insights, and personalized interventions while addressing challenges related to privacy, data interpretation, and clinical integration. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how digital data is shaping the future of precision psychiatry and patient-centered care.
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Listening, Learning, and Leading: AI’s Role in Psychiatry
This panel on ambient listening, AI scribes, and virtual avatars in psychiatry will explore cutting-edge technologies that are revolutionizing the way psychiatric care is delivered and documented. Experts will discuss how ambient listening systems can capture and analyze patient-clinician interactions, AI scribes can automate clinical documentation, and virtual avatars can provide therapeutic support, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of mental health treatments. This session will delve into the potential benefits of these innovations, such as reducing clinician burnout, improving patient engagement, and providing 24/7 support, while also addressing important considerations around privacy, ethics, and the evolving role of human clinicians in an increasingly AI-augmented field of psychiatry.
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Mind Over Matter: Exploring Hypnotherapy and Psychiatry
This demonstration and engaging presentation will explore the intersection of hypnotherapy and psychiatry, examining how these two approaches can be used in treating mental health conditions. The principles of hypnotherapy, its techniques, and its potential therapeutic benefits, alongside traditional psychiatric practices will be discussed and showcased.
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Mindgames Masters Live Competition
This is a three-part educational experience that allows all psychiatrists to assess their knowledge and learn more about five subspecialties in an engaging, fun, and competitive format.
Tuesday, May 20
9:30 - 10:00 a.m.
The AI Rulebook: Ethics, Compliance, and Regulation in Psychiatric Care
This panel brings together leaders from IT and telepsychiatry to discuss the critical need for AI regulation in psychiatry, ensuring that emerging technologies are safe, ethical, and effective. Panelists will explore frameworks for governing AI applications in mental health, addressing issues such as data security, algorithmic bias, and patient consent, while balancing innovation with accountability. The conversation will provide actionable insights for clinicians, policymakers, and technologists to collaboratively shape a regulatory landscape that fosters trust and maximizes the benefits of AI in psychiatric care.
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Reimagining Psychiatry: Pioneering the Future of Mental Health
Discover how visionary leaders are driving transformative innovation in psychiatry through cutting-edge technologies, novel therapies, and collaborative care models. This panel explores strategies for advancing mental health care—from leveraging AI and digital platforms to pioneering neurostimulation and psychedelic-assisted therapies—while addressing challenges like ethical dilemmas, equity, and implementation barriers. Learn how these trailblazers are shaping the future of psychiatry by fostering resilience, scaling solutions, and redefining patient-centered care in a rapidly evolving field.
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Psychiatry Innovation Lab
The Psychiatry Innovation Lab, a cornerstone of the APA’s Mental Health Innovation Zone, is designed to foster groundbreaking initiatives aimed at revolutionizing mental health care.As a nurturing ground for nascent ideas and ventures, it offers a platform for education, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative solutions and concepts in mental health technology.Engage with this vibrant gathering of mental health pioneers to explore the latest in technological advancements and collaborative opportunities aimed at enhancing mental health care.