Solome Tibebu is behavioral health tech’s great connector. Since founding Going Digital Behavioral Health Tech (GDBHT) during COVID, she has grown the event into the largest conference focused on using technology and innovation to expand access to mental health and substance use care. In this interview, she discusses her satisfaction from making connections, her work as a behavioral health technology strategist, and her hopes for the industry’s future. It was recorded at the Future of Mental Healthcare East.

Key Takeaways

• Personal Experience as a Motivator: Solome’s personal experience as a teen struggling to get the correct diagnosis and treatment for her anxiety and OCD inspired her to make mental health information more accessible to others.

• Combining Knowledge and Lived Experience: In her opinion, having a deep understanding of the field and personal experience is a powerful combination for leadership in the field.

• GDBHT Community: The community has grown significantly with thousands of members. Success stories include individuals finding co-founders, securing investments, and getting jobs as a result of their involvement.

• Hope for Transforming Healthcare: Legacy organizations may resist changes to their established workflows, but there is a growing willingness to embrace scalable, novel solutions that can address workforce shortages and increase access to care.