This presentation will do the following: 1) Provide an overview of the Digital Navigator role in mental health care 2) Describe the current research landscape as it relates to the Digital Navigators 3) Provide case examples of Digital Navigators in mental health care in a Canadian context Canadians with mental health challenges are utilizing digital health tools more than ever. Mental healthcare organizations across the country are integrating digital tools to enhance the services they provide, making it easier for individuals to access and manage their care. A 2023 survey by Canada Health Infoway found that 80% of Canadians have accessed their health information electronically, while 60% have used mobile apps to support their well-being over the past year. From patient portals and virtual care platforms to mobile health apps, digital solutions are becoming an essential part of the Canadian healthcare system—reshaping how patients engage with clinicians and access their health information. Despite their undeniable benefits, digital technologies present challenges for healthcare systems, clinicians, and patients alike. The implementation and integration of these tools can be complex, and their widespread adoption is not without barriers. Perhaps the most pressing concern is the growing digital divide. While significant progress has been made in expanding broadband internet access across Canada, patients and clinicians still struggle to make use of these digital resources, with digital literacy remaining a critical issue. Many individuals lack the skills to navigate digital tools, interpret health data, or effectively use the tools available to them. A 2025 survey conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine found that 70% of international health system leaders identified low digital literacy among patients as the largest hurdle to implementing virtual care services. To address this gap, a new role is emerging within healthcare: the digital navigator (sometimes referred to as a digital or technology coach). While not a completely new concept, digital navigators enable the use of patient-facing digital technologies in clinical care. They differ from clinical informatics or IT specialists in that their sole focus is to support clinicians and patients in best utilizing patient-facing digital tools to support care rather than providing technology support for enterprise clinical information systems (i.e., electronic health records). As a member of the clinical team, they can play a crucial role in supporting clinicians and patients in integrating digital tools into care. Some examples of the support digital navigators can provide include: 1. Identifying evidence-based digital tools tailored to a given clinical need, 2. Supporting patients in building and developing digital literacy skills, 3. Troubleshooting technical issues that may arise, and 4. Helping both patients and clinicians interpret and make use of digital health data. One of the greatest strengths of the digital navigator is the adaptability and flexibility of the role. Digital navigators can be embedded into various clinical settings, supporting a wide range of digital health technologies and patient populations. However, despite the potential of digital navigators, the role is still in its early stages of implementation. International health systems such as the United States, Australia, and Germany have begun piloting digital navigator programs, but large-scale implementations are yet to unfold. Within the Canadian sphere, the implementation of digital navigators has been limited. Recently, London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Healthcare in London, Ontario, implemented a digital navigator program to support patients in accessing and using virtual care services. Patients accessing care at the hospital and within the community can receive technical and tailored support in learning how to navigate the video-conferencing platform they use to provide virtual care.