96 FEATURE
Connecting care at every level
A 360° approach to mental health in Canada
A ccessing mental health care is rarely straightforward. There’s no single doorway, no one-size-fits-all solution, and no single professional who can meet every need. Every mental health journey begins differently, and this reminds us that care is never the work of one person or system. The care continuum is made up of interconnected steps, yet, too often, those steps don’t line up. People fall through cracks between systems, technologies and organizations that were never designed to work together. Recognizing this, Calian has embraced a true 360° mindset— linking digital innovation, clinical expertise, immersive learning and crisis response into an integrated circle of support. In doing so, we move beyond reacting to issues toward designing systems that anticipate, coordinate and support interventions at every phase of the mental health journey. For us, the goal is simple: no matter where someone enters the system, they should be able to find coordinated, compassionate help that meets them where they are.
From silos to systems At the foundation of a connected system is an infrastructure that ensures access, data flow and continuity. “We’ve spent years helping health systems build digital bridges,” says Tazmin Leipsig, Director of Digital Health at Calian, who works with partners across Canada on modernizing care infrastructure. In a recent conversation, the CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Halton and Leipsig discussed how digital innovation is closing critical gaps in Ontario’s community mental health system. They highlighted that siloed systems and resistance to change have long hindered care quality, and that a “circle of care” powered by digital platforms can enable proactive, scalable and patient-centred solutions. “Digital, interoperable tools are no longer optional—they’re the glue that ties the system together. When digital front doors work well, they don’t replace people; they make it easier for individuals to find the right person faster,” says Leipsig.
What does this mean in practice? The first point of contact might be through a self-screening app, a telehealth consultation, or a virtual drop-in for someone unsure whether they “qualify” for help. Behind the scenes, digital integration ensures that when that person is ready for the next step, whether it’s an assessment, therapy or crisis referral, the transition is seamless. Plus, by weaving in design thinking and real-time data to create user-centric workflows, digital innovation becomes the backbone of the system, not just a separate channel. As Leipsig explains, “Technology can actually make care more human if it’s used to remove friction and instead add more empathy to the process.” Mental wellness as the anchor If digital tools open the door, ongoing touchpoints for mental readiness and wellness help guide the path forward. At Calian, our work with high- stress occupations such as law enforcement, public safety, military, and healthcare has shown that support for mental health
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