Youth Mental Health Service Deserts: A Data Science-Driven Approach
Enabled by leading North American bank, BMO, this session explores how Kids Help Phone and BMO have partnered to use advanced data science to build tools that pinpoint Service Deserts. This service-gap mapping and data-visualization project is pinpointing unmet needs and breaking the physical / digital divide so more young people can access support when and where they need it most. The impact of this work is powerful as it will enable Kids Help Phone to strategically plan service offerings to fill these gaps when mapping it to where our users are reaching us as well as enable applied research and policy changing insights.
Speakers
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Eric MorrowManaging Director, Data Science & AI, BMOEric Morrow
Managing Director, Data Science & AI, BMO
Eric is currently the Managing Director of the Enterprise Data Science & AI group within BMO's Data and Analytics (DnA) organization. As a horizontal function within BMO, his team of data scientists and ML engineers engage with groups and services across the organization to develop anything from data-driven insights to production ML/AI-based solutions on topics spanning price optimization to cybersecurity-threat detection and beyond. Eric is also a champion of BMO's Purpose Program that seeks to enhance the data, analytics and AI capabilities of our partner non-profits and charities, enabling them to better serve their communities. Prior to BMO, Eric worked in the aerospace industry on spacecraft development and robotic operations on the International Space Station. He has also worked in the exploration geophysics field on innovative gravity measurement systems. He holds a PhD in geophysics from Harvard University and Masters degrees in physics and aerospace engineering from the University of Toronto.
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Anjana SudharshanNational Youth Council Member at Kids Help PhoneAnjana Sudharshan
National Youth Council Member at Kids Help Phone
Anjana Sudharshan is passionate about collaborating with like-minded individuals to help spread awareness about the importance of mental health and well-being. Her own experiences and work in mental health research led her to joining the National Youth Council (NYC) at Kids Help Phone to connect with and help other youth, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Anjana is currently studying life sciences at McMaster University, with an interest in public health and science communication. She hopes to continue supporting youth-led mental health initiatives with the NYC to help increase access to and awareness of mental health resources and create safer spaces for youth to express themselves. In her spare time, she enjoys birdwatching and singing.
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Mariana CatzSenior Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer at Kids Help PhoneMariana Catz
Senior Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer at Kids Help Phone
Mariana is responsible for leading the intersection of innovation, technology, data and Artificial Intelligence at Kids Help Phone to help revolutionize the e-mental health landscape for youth across Canada. Over the course of two decades, Mariana has been a driving force behind change, innovation, and strategic positioning, cultivating excellence in organizations through the introduction of disruptive technology and the implementation of impact measurement strategies. She holds a master’s degree in Health Science from the University of Toronto and is Adjunct Faculty at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Her experience includes leadership roles across the non-profit, public and private sectors in Canada and beyond. She served as Policy Advisor at the Ontario Health Ministry, Chief Information Officer at Academic Health Centers and Chief Advisor for eHealth at Health Canada. As Chief Operating Officer at the Ontario Trillium Foundation, she engineered the shift to becoming an outcomes-based funding organization, transforming people, processes and technology. Mariana also brings her international experience at the World Health Organization in Geneva and as a partner at Accenture Inc. to Kids Help Phone. Originally from Argentina, Mariana — who came to Canada as a teen fleeing a military regime — is passionate about social justice, human rights and equity.