Intersection of Technology and Trauma: Overcoming Barriers to Digital PTSD Treatment for Refugees in Canada

About 82% of those seeking PTSD treatment in Canada find the care they receive to be ineffective, primarily as a result of long waiting lists, booking cancellations, and financial limitations. Minority populations, such as refugees, encounter additional barriers. These include a lack of access to interpreters, and social stigma surrounding mental health, and culturally incompatible care. As the Canadian landscape of mental health care is complex and challenges continue to grow, digital health interventions have shown promise in providing alternative access points for treatment. Savyn is a digital mental health therapeutic startup that aims to reduce barriers for patients and communities dealing with trauma and PTSD, such as prolonged wait periods for mental health treatment (months), high therapy costs, and service strain. Savyn uses two methods: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy (modified for digital use) and written exposure therapy (WET). This study aims to understand the effectiveness of digital health platforms in managing PTSD among refugee populations and examines barriers that may be hindering the adoption of digital mental health programs in Canada. By identifying these challenges, the study aims to provide actionable insights to enhance national and global access to mental health care through more equitable, culturally aware, and technologically advanced interventions.