Abstract
Immersive technologies, those that merge the physical and digital world such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), are shaping many aspects of our society. From gaming to healthcare, these technologies are both changing and challenging the ways we interact and innovate, aiming to better support our needs.
One of society’s greatest challenges, further highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic, has been the need to improve our mental health, our emotional, social and psychological wellbeing. Can immersive technologies play a role in changing and aiding our approach to mental health?
We heard from experts on how immersive technologies are being applied in our day to day lives through demos, case studies, and more.
Nathan Gaydhani, an immersive technology strategist, will kick the event off by introducing immersive technologies, its capabilities and future predictions. Through a live demo he will showcase how immersive technologies are being used for collaboration, training, design, marketing, and more.
Lesley Simpson-Gray, a certified cyber psychotherapist, will demonstrate how technology has become a catalyst for her own creative, resilient approach to the challenges faced by many of the UK’s mental health professionals. Recent global crises have exacerbated the struggle to meet an unprecedented level of demand for mental health services. Lesley addresses a generational lack of readiness to embrace technology-based solutions, and sheds light on how her virtual therapy room has become an intersection between integrity and innovation. She highlights the difficulties of upholding professional standards, along with the need to create a practice where mental health support using immersive technology is inclusive and accessible to all.
The Talk was followed by a 30-minute Q&A session where virtual and in-person audiences were able to ask questions and join the discussion.
