This year’s event highlighted significant service developments, the growing conversation around moral injury and innovative approaches to supporting health and social care professionals across Wales.
The symposium opened with a bilingual welcome from Naomi Marfell, Canopi manager, followed by an address from Sarah Murphy MS, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, who emphasised the continued pressures facing the NHS and social care workforce.
She highlighted the importance of accessible support, praising Canopi for helping staff overcome stigma and seek help confidentially.
“Canopi represents exactly the proactive, compassionate approach that we need.” Sarah Murphy MS
She also reaffirmed the Welsh Government’s commitment to investing in mental health services for staff and acknowledged the vital role of lived experience in shaping effective support. Catch the minister’s full address below.
Canopi service update: growth, innovation and impact
Dr Thomas Kitchen, co‑director of Canopi, shared an overview of the service’s achievements over the past year.
Canopi continues to support NHS and social care staff across Wales with confidential, free mental health support.
In the year ending 2025, the service has:
- supported over 3,500 people
- received nearly 150,000 website visits
- signposted almost 2,000 people to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) resources
- averaged over 80 new referrals per week
- achieved 90% positive feedback for interactions with our doctor advisers
- seen 89% of clients say they would recommend the service
Dr Kitchen also highlighted some service innovations, including the continued development of Canopi’s therapist guided CBT offering, Wales’s only nationally delivered step‑two psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP) led CBT programme.
Outcomes remain highly encouraging, with 82% of participants achieving recovery, far surpassing national benchmarks.
“The number of people using the service is incredible, but it’s the fact that behind each number is the story of a colleague working in health or social care that is so humbling. We stand alongside, ready to listen to each story.” Dr Thomas Kitchen
A powerful case study shared during the session illustrated the impact of the service.
Read Joanne’s story on our blog: Canopi helped me to manage stress and continue working in social care.
Exploring moral injury
Alison O’Connor, Churchill Fellow and co-founder of Moral Injury Partnership, introduced the topic of moral injury – the emotional and psychological distress that arises when individuals feel they have acted against their core values.
The presentation centred on the Reflect and Renew programme, a communal retreat offering space for frontline workers to process experiences in a supportive environment. Early findings show:
- 100% of participants found the programme helpful
- 76% found it extremely helpful
- Key themes included “I’m not alone”, self‑compassion, unburdening, and renewed perspectives on the future
Participants valued the sense of camaraderie and the opportunity to be truly heard, something many felt had been missing in their professional lives, which align closely with Canopi’s core values.
Digital therapy developments: the Spring programme
Dr Catrin Lewis, research lead for the Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) trial at the National Centre for Mental Health, led a session that provided an in depth look at Spring – guided digital interventions for trauma related disorders.
Originally developed for PTSD, Spring has since been adapted for military veterans, complex PTSD and prolonged grief disorder (PGD).
The programme demonstrates the potential of digital therapy to increase access to high quality, evidence-based interventions.
The research team has worked closely with Canopi throughout the trial and the collaboration has been exceptionally positive.
Of the 42 participants targeted for recruitment, 22 were referred through Canopi.
This partnership has significantly strengthened the study, and the team acknowledges the substantial contribution Canopi has made to its progress.
“Working with Canopi has helped us enormously.”
Dr Catrin Lewis
SHAPE: Innovative mental health support for frontline staff
Dr Jasmine Laing from the University of Oxford presented findings from the Supporting Healthcare and Paramedic Employees (SHAPE intervention – a remote coaching programme designed specifically for staff experiencing PTSD or depression.
Results from recent trials show significant recovery rates, with over 80% of participants no longer meeting diagnostic criteria following the intervention.
Staff described SHAPE as accessible, flexible and deeply relevant to the realities of their working lives.
The team has worked closely with Canopi throughout the trial and the collaboration significantly enhanced recruitment. A total of 76 participants were referred by Canopi, representing more than half of the study sample.
“I want to express my gratitude for the support from Canopi and making this [trial] possible.” Dr Jasmine Laing
Looking ahead: future directions in mental health research
Professor Neil Harrison, Clinical and Commercial Director at Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), co-director of the Hodge Centre for Translational Neuroscience and research lead for the Cardiff Immunopsychiatry Research Group, provided the closing session, focusing on biological and translational research in mental health.
He highlighted the need for more personalised treatments, the challenges of current diagnostic systems and exciting developments, promising more targeted, effective approaches to understanding and treating mental illness.
Professor Harrison also discussed the work of the new Brain and Genomics Hub, part of the UKRI funded Mental Health Platform, who are looking to build a research community of 600 people with experience of severe mental illness.
Moving forward together
The Canopi symposium 2026 showcased the work happening across Wales to support the mental health and wellbeing of those working in health and social care.
From community-based healing to digital innovation and cutting-edge research, the event highlighted a shared commitment to improving support, reducing stigma and ensuring staff can access the help they need.
“Thank you to everyone who joined this year’s symposium and contributed to these vital conversations, and we look forward to welcoming you again.” Naomi Marfell
Catch up on the symposium
Resources
- Read the Welsh Government’s commitment to investing in mental health: Mental health and wellbeing strategy 2025 to 2035
- Learn about the Spring programme at the National Centre for Mental Health
- Learn about the Shape intervention from the University of Oxford
- Learn more about the work of the Cardiff Immunopsychiatry Research Group
- Take part in research with the Brain and Genomics Hub
- Register for an Introduction to Moral Injury training session
Stay in touch
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