HIRANI events on mental health and technology

Discover how tech is transforming mental health care

The Health Innovation and Research Alliance NI (HIRANI), with the Academy of Medical Sciences, is hosting free events on Tuesday 30 September in Belfast, focusing on how technology can improve mental health and wellbeing.

Morning session - Communities, Technologies and Mental Health

This event will take place at St Comgall's - Ionad Eileen Howell, Divis Street, Belfast. It brings together patients, healthcare workers, researchers and industry to explore how technology is helping mental health care.

The programme includes:

• a keynote from Professor Siobhan O'Neill, Northern Ireland's Mental Health Champion
• panel discussions
• roundtable talks
• networking opportunities

Anyone interested in mental health and technology can attend, whether you are new or experienced in the field.

Afternoon session - Mindset XR Innovation in Mental Health Roadshow

In the afternoon, you can learn about the latest virtual and augmented reality (XR) tools that are supporting mental health in NHS and education settings. XR tools can help with problems like anxiety, depression, pain management, training for staff, and support for neurodivergent people.

At the event, you'll be able to see live demos and meet the people developing these technologies. The event is open to:

• health and social care professionals
• researchers and academics
• educators and commissioners
• XR developers and investors
• people with lived experience of mental health issues

This event is part of Innovate UK's £20 million Mindset-XR programme, which supports new digital mental health solutions across the UK.

How to register

The morning and afternoon sessions are separate events, so register for each one if you want to attend both.

First published 29 August 2025