Home | Mental Health Lab

The Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab is a research hub that explores the intersections between mental health, technology and learning across the lifespan. We investigate what it means to flourish in the digital age by researching digital wellness, individual and collective well-being, positive psychology and flourishing, educational psychology and trauma-informed care. Through our action-based research, we are dedicated to promoting holistic wellness to make our communities healthier.

Our Research

Our Lab focuses on educational and psychological research that explores moderators that influence the success of prevention and intervention approaches. Our five core research and outreach areas include digital wellness, individual and collective well-being, positive psychology and flourishing, educational psychology and trauma-informed care.

DIGITAL WELLNESS

Healthy technology engagement
Tech with a conscience
Digital, mental health and AI Literacies
Digital wellness skills
Digital emotional intelligence

INDIVIDUAL & COLLECTIVE WELL-BEING

Holistic approaches to well-being
Community, family and organizational wellness
Prevention and intervention methods
Coping strategies and self-care
Cultural competencies

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Flourishing
Empowerment
Healthy lifespan development
Strengths-based approaches
Joy and curiosity

RESPONSIVE
EDUCATION

Educational Psychology and Psychoeducation
Learning and performance
Creativity and innovation
Addressing global competencies

TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE

Therapeutic interventions
Educational approaches
Workplace strategies
Hope and Compassion
Crisis intervention

Knowledge Mobilization through Community Outreach

We are passionate about sharing evidence-based strategies and resources with the community! One of our main impact goals is to promote Community Flourishing through Community Outreach, Action-Based Research, Knowledge Mobilization, and Empowerment Projects (CAKE).

Throughout the year, we host conferences, webinars, workshops and trainings, and post various multimedia resources for community members to have up-to-date, research-supported strategies and practices to use in their personal and professional lives.

Community Projects

Community-based organizations and agencies
Schools and school boards
Tech developers
Research centres
Healthcare and business sectors

Workshops & Trainings

Workshops for youth, parents, educators, lawyers, social workers, business sector, community members
Mental Health First Aid training
Professional development opportunities

Events

Annual Mental Health in the Digital Age Conference (November)
Annual Digital Wellness Symposium (Spring)
Expert Discussion Panels

Resource Hub

Toolkits
Resource guides
Recorded webinars
Podcasts
Infographics
Research reports

Student Opportunities

Graduate research supervision
Research assistants (undergraduate/graduate)
Co-op opportunities
Community hours and volunteer opportunities (high school)

Latest News from the Lab

Adolescence Event - Social Media (1).png

Join Us for Our Upcoming Event: An Expert Discussion Panel Exploring Netflix's New Limited Series Adolescence

We are excited to announce a FREE upcoming event we will be hosting through the Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab this May!

We will be hosting an Expert Discussion Panel with mental health professionals, educators, and researchers to explore Netflix's new limited series "Adolescence." Parents, educators, and community members are invited to join us for an in-depth exploration of Stephen Graham's trending series. Our panel will discuss themes from the series, including child and youth mental health, the role of technology, and how we can support our youth to navigate the digital age safely.

The event will take place in-person at Ontario Tech University on Wednesday, May 7, from 7-9 PM (EST) (details will be provided to attendees) and online via Zoom on Wednesday, May 14, from 7-8:30 PM (EST).

Research Recognition: Shaping AI Policy

We are proud to share that our study, “Deepfakes and Harm to Women” by Dr. Jennifer Laffier and Aalyia Rehman (2023), has been officially cited in UK and Australian Parliamentary discussions and AI policy reports.

Governmental and Policy Recognition:

UK Parliament: Referenced in the "Policy implications of artificial intelligence (AI)" briefing, discussing the societal harms of deepfake technology.
- 🔗 Read the briefing
Australian Parliament: Cited in the "Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2024," underscoring the legal challenges of non-consensual deepfake content.
- 🔗 Read the bill
UK International AI Safety Report (2025): Referenced in the UK government's AI policy report, highlighting the societal impacts of deepfake technology on women.
- 🔗 Read the AI Safety Report

These citations demonstrate the real-world impact of our research, influencing legislative and policy discussions on AI, digital safety, and the protection of individuals from deepfake-related harms.

📖 Read the full study here: https://ojs.scholarsportal.info/ontariotechu/index.php/dll/article/view/218/144

A Conceptual Framework to Understand the Relationships Between Digital Wellness and Artificial Intelligence in Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking

We are excited to share our recent article published in Cyberpsychology, Behavor and Social Networking, "A conceptual framework to understand the relationships between digital wellness and artificial intelligence."

Digital wellness focuses on the healthy relationships individuals develop with technology to thrive, emphasizing skills such as emotional intelligence, mindfulness, mental health literacy, and critical thinking. This study employs a qualitative research approach to propose a conceptual framework that aligns digital wellness skills with healthy engagement in artificial intelligence (AI). The findings suggest digital wellness skills moderate healthy AI engagement by reducing risks and increasing benefits. Schools, workplaces, and communities should focus on promoting digital wellness education and skill development. Further empirical research is necessary to explore the implications of the proposed framework and evaluate its applications in real-world settings.

Learn more >

Join us for our 5th Annual Mental Health in the Digital Age Conference!

Conference Program Guide

The MHDA Conference is a free, virtual event for educators, parents, and community members to explore our relationship with technology and its effects on our well-being. Sessions will look at technologies’ impacts on well-being across the lifespan, along with recommendations. The conference is presented by the Lab and affiliated graduate students in the Frazer Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University.

We are thrilled that this year's keynote speaker is the incredible Hon. Senator Katherine Hay! In addition to her powerful presentation, we have over 20 presentations to choose from on a wide range of topics exploring mental health and technology across the lifespan. This is a 'choose your own adventure' conference, where you can select which presentations you want to attend and how long you'd like to stay.

We understand that life can be busy, so if you need to pop in and out throughout the night, that is perfectly fine! Please note:

Virtual doors open at 6:30 with a welcome from our Lab Director, Dr. Jennifer Laffier.
Our keynote speaker, the Hon. Senator Katherine Hay, will present from 6:50-7:10 PM (EST)
We have 4 concurrent sessions with 5-6 presentations to choose from in each block. Presentations are 15 minutes long, followed by a 5-minute Q&A period and an opportunity to ask the presenters about their research. Each presentation will include a resource for attendees to take with them.

You can check out our program guide below to learn more.

🗓️ Monday, November 24, 2025

⏰ 6:30-9:00 PM (EST)

📍Virtual (Zoom link will be provided to registered attendees on Monday)

bell let's talk events - image_edited.png

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 is
Bell Let's Talk Day!

Join us for a week of events on a topics including supporting individuals in our care who are struggling with their mental health, talking about difficult content we see in the news, suicide interventions, and using principles of art therapy to promote our own mental health.

You can find a complete list on our Events page or download a PDF copy of our events below.

We look forward to coming together to engage in important conversations about mental health across the lifespan. See you there! #BellLetsTalk

Learn more on our Events page >

Bell Let's Talk - 2026 MHDA Lab Events

Introducing Our Lunch & Learn: Safer Series!

In honour of Safer Internet Day, we are thrilled to share our new 10-week "Lunch & Learn: Safer Series," which examines online safety risks and protective strategies to support wellness across the lifespan!

All sessions will be held:

🗓️ Thursdays

⏰ 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM (EST) (plus optional 15-minute Q&A to follow)

📍Virtual (Zoom link will be provided to registered attendees)

You can find a complete list on our Events page.

Learn more on our Events page >

Join Us for Our Upcoming Event: An Expert Discussion Panel Exploring Netflix's New Documentary - Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere

We are excited to announce a FREE upcoming event we will be hosting through the Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab on April 29, 2026!

The Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab, in partnership with the Centre on Hate, Bias & Extremism, is hosting an Expert Discussion Panel event exploring the growing influence of the 'manosphere' and its impacts on individuals and communities.

The panel will use the acclaimed Netflix documentary, "Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere," as a launching pad to discuss the ‘manosphere’ phenomenon, including its harms, social implications, and intervention strategies to support communities.

Join Dr. Barbara Perry, Dr. Shahid Alvi, Dr. Olga Marques and Dr. Jennifer Laffier for this insightful, timely conversation!

📅 Wednesday, April 29, 2026
⏰ 7-8 PM (EST)
📍 Virtual (registered participants will receive the Zoom link before the event)

How Digital Wellness is Represented in School Digital Literacy and Citizenship Models: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis
in Academia Mental Health and Well-Being

We are excited to share our recent article published in Academia Mental Health and Well-Being, "How digital wellness is represented in school digital literacy and citizenship models: a qualitative comparative analysis."

Research has begun to examine the role of digital wellness in educational contexts, suggesting that cultivating competencies such as self-regulation, emotional resilience, and intentional technology use may support healthier digital engagement and enhance both academic learning and student well-being. Despite its relevance, digital wellness remains underrepresented in educational discourse, often overshadowed by the dominant emphasis on digital literacy and digital citizenship in schools.

Using the Qualitative Comparative Analysis-Based Research Synthesis (QCARS) method, this paper explored the representation of digital wellness within existing digital literacy and digital citizenship educational models or frameworks. In alignment with QCARS methodology, the synthesis was both descriptive and interpretive. Educational frameworks and models from the last

10–15 years (N = 15) were analyzed using a truth table informed by the QCARS method. Results revealed that fourteen of the twenty-four frameworks incorporated digital wellness constructs to varying degrees. The majority referred to digital wellness as a ‘subcomponent’ of digital literacy or digital competence, affirming their status as educational priorities globally. A notable observation, and a potential limitation of this analysis, is the terminological ambiguity, posing challenges for identification and comparison. As schools continue to navigate increasingly digital environments, cultivating not only digital competence but also digital wellness is critical.

Learn more >

Congratulations to all of our Lab researchers!

This has been a busy year for the Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab! 6 of our research team members have completed their graduate studies or moved on to the next phase. Each of their research projects is a powerful contribution to education and mental health in the digital age!

Congratulations to:

Aleena Khan: Completion of Master of Education🎓🧡
- Project: Social Media Benefits and Risks for Immigrant Youth: A Scoping Review on Strategies for Supporting Digital Wellness
Victoria Matheou: Completion of Master of Education 🎓🧡
- Project: Reaping Benefits While Avoiding Risks: A Scoping Review of Neurodiverse Youth and Digital Wellness
Samantha Pereira da Silva: Completion of Master of Education 🎓🧡
- Project: Exploring the Double-Edged Nature of Social Media during Student-Athlete Injury Recovery and the Need for Digital Wellness: A Community-Based Project
Shannon Shackles: Completion of Master of Arts (Education) 🎓🧡
- Thesis: An Exploration of Virtual Reality as an Intervention for Public Speaking Anxiety in High School Students

Two of our doctoral students passed their candidacy exams - an exciting milestone in the doctoral research journey!

Madison Westley: Completion of Ed.D Candidacy Exam 🎉 💙
- Doctoral research: It Takes a Digital Village: A Community-Based Inquiry into Kidfluencer Culture, Youth Well-Being and Preventative Trauma-Informed Approaches
Mark Sayers: Completion of Ed.D Candidacy Exam 🎉 💙
- Doctoral research: Creating an Online Design Blueprint to Guide the Construction of an Ojibway-Based Online Learning Environment

Designing evidence-based digital mental health check-ins in higher education in Academia Mental Health and Well-Being

We are excited to share our recent article published in Academia Mental Health and Well-Being, "Designing evidence-based digital mental health check-ins in higher education."

Introduction: Due to the urgent need for more sustainable support for post-secondary student mental health, many institutions are exploring alternative ideas for intervention, such as the role of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and wellness apps. However, if technological programs or devices are used for student mental health, their design and delivery should align with research on student well-being, best practices in psychological interventions, and learning theories.

Materials and methods: This study used a case study approach to examine how cognitive, industrial, and positive psychology principles can inform the design and delivery of mental health apps and programs. An emerging platform from Denmark, StudentPulse, which has students complete mental health check-ins, was examined using a comparison analysis approach between design features and research on post-secondary wellness and learning.

Results: The analysis revealed how the platform’s features are rooted in three areas of psychological wellness: cognitive, positive, and industrial. This included design features such as AI-trained responses for students that provide immediate feedback, choice, reflection, and flourishing questions. The feedback design is based on cognitive principles of retention, attention, and motivation.

Conclusions: As post-secondary institutions continue to adopt technological tools that support student mental health, these tools must be grounded in psychological principles to ensure they minimize harm and promote student wellness. The study recommends that wellness-based technologies incorporate evidence-based research in mental health, learning, and psychology in their design and implementation.

Learn more >

Frazer Faculty of Education, Ontario Tech University

Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab

Researching holistic well-being and digital flourishing across the lifespan.

Our Research

DIGITAL WELLNESS

INDIVIDUAL & COLLECTIVE WELL-BEING

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

RESPONSIVE
EDUCATION

TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE

Knowledge Mobilization through Community Outreach

Community Projects

Workshops & Trainings

Events

Resource Hub

Student Opportunities

Latest News from the Lab

Join Us for Our Upcoming Event: An Expert Discussion Panel Exploring Netflix's New Limited Series Adolescence

Research Recognition: Shaping AI Policy

A Conceptual Framework to Understand the Relationships Between Digital Wellness and Artificial Intelligence in Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking

Join us for our 5th Annual Mental Health in the Digital Age Conference!

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 is
Bell Let's Talk Day!

Introducing Our Lunch & Learn: Safer Series!

Join Us for Our Upcoming Event: An Expert Discussion Panel Exploring Netflix's New Documentary - Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere

How Digital Wellness is Represented in School Digital Literacy and Citizenship Models: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis
in Academia Mental Health and Well-Being

Congratulations to all of our Lab researchers!

Designing evidence-based digital mental health check-ins in higher education in Academia Mental Health and Well-Being

Get Updates!

Our Research

DIGITAL WELLNESS

INDIVIDUAL & COLLECTIVE WELL-BEING

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

RESPONSIVE EDUCATION

TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE

Knowledge Mobilization through Community Outreach

Community Projects

Workshops & Trainings

Events

Resource Hub

Student Opportunities

Latest News from the Lab

Congratulations to all of our Lab researchers!

Get Updates!

RESPONSIVE
EDUCATION