FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Calgary, Alberta. Wednesday, May 29, 2024
The Mental Health Intelligent Information Resource Assistant (MIRA) team is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a prestigious grant by Alberta Innovates under their “Enabling Better Health through Artificial Intelligence (AI-Better Health)” program. This initiative is dedicated to bridging the gap between the potential and the reality of enhancing health outcomes for Albertans through artificial intelligence.
MIRA is a publicly available, anonymous, mental health, artificial intelligent chatbot which draws only from a connected expertly vetted resource library. MIRA is designed to support Canadians through the complexities of mental health resources and will work with the user to connect them with the mental health services that best meets their personal needs. MIRA is an integrated, patient-centered, and accessible mental health navigation system, providing timely information to individuals at any point in their care continuum. Embodying values of innovation, trustworthiness, transparency, inclusivity, effectiveness, and accountability, MIRA works to advance mental health support in Canada, ensuring that every individual receives the right resources at the right time.
Spearheaded by Mood Disorders Society of Canada, with the University of Alberta, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, Ai4Society, Dalhousie University, the International Indigenous Health Research and Training Centre, the APEC Digital Hub for Mental Health, the University of Saskatchewan, Western University, Mental Health Research Canada, the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, among others, MIRA is a true testament to the power of collaboration.
The AI-Better Health program aims to foster Alberta’s leadership in AI-driven health solutions, focusing on improving data quality, access, and privacy, enhancing technical and human factors in AI deployment, and ensuring responsible, ethical use of AI in health care. This award will further support MIRA in its mission to address critical health challenges by leveraging AI technologies, and in innovating healthcare solutions that are ethical, efficient, and effective.
“We are honored to receive this support from Alberta Innovates,” said Dr. Osmar Zaiane, Principal Investigator of MIRA, and Professor, Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta. “This grant not only recognizes our commitment to advancing health care through artificial intelligence but also enables us to contribute significantly to Alberta’s reputation as a leader in AI and health innovation.”
“MIRA is not merely a technological advancement; it is a beacon of hope, ensuring that every Canadian has the ability to connect and access trustworthy and effective mental health resources, personalized to their unique circumstances,” said Dave Gallson, National Executive Director, Mood Disorders Society of Canada. ”We are committed to upholding the values of inclusivity, transparency, and accountability as we navigate towards a future where mental health support is seamlessly integrated into the fabric of healthcare, accessible to all. We are grateful for Alberta Innovates support in our mission.”
“I am honored to witness the confluence of innovation and compassion in our mission to revolutionize mental health care,” said Dr. Vincent Agyapong, Co-Principal Investigator of MIRA and Head and Clinical Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, “Through the generous grant from Alberta Innovates, we can continue our mission to further our commitment to make MIRA a practical, accessible, intelligent resource for all Canadians in need.”
The MIRA team looks forward to collaborating with Alberta Innovates, healthcare stakeholders, and the community to realize the transformative potential of AI in enhancing health outcomes for Albertans.
For more information about the “Enabling Better Health through Artificial Intelligence (AI-Better Health)” program, please visit Alberta Innovates website.
About Mood Disorders Society of Canada:
MDSC was incorporated in 2001 with the overall objective of improving access to treatment, informing research, and shaping program development and government policies with the goal of improving the quality of life for people affected by mood disorders. MDSC has evolved into one of Canada’s best-connected mental health NGOs with a demonstrated track record of forging and maintaining meaningful and sustained partnerships with the public, private and non-profit sectors throughout Canada. Collaboration is an MDSC operational principle.
For more information:
Ken Porter
National Sustainability Director
Mood Disorders Society of Canada
(613) 921-5565
MIRA@mdsc.ca
www.MyMIRA.ca
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