Sonia Martins
Sonia Martins is a Calgary-based health researcher and community leader advancing equity-focused mental health and housing solutions. With over five years of experience in community outreach and systems-level evaluation, her work centers on Indigenous engagement, trauma-informed practice, and culturally responsive program design. She is the founder of Digital Doorways, an initiative expanding access to virtual mental health services for individuals experiencing housing instability. Her research on integrating virtual mental health within Housing First programs, published in Discover Health Systems, reflects her commitment to practical, community-led innovation to address homelessness. Sonia holds a Master of Health Studies from Athabasca University and works to bridge research, policy, and frontline impact.
Digital Doorways
Digital Doorways is a pilot initiative designed to strengthen access to virtual mental health services for individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly those who face ongoing barriers despite the availability of digital care spaces. The project focuses on improving usability, confidence, and continuity rather than introducing new clinical services.
About this Project
Communities Served
My project will involve and/or impact the following communities:
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
When it comes to community impact projects, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.
How the project works
From February to July, Digital Doorways will install private, Wi-Fi-enabled tablet stations within partner sites, develop a trauma-informed training curriculum, deliver two staff training sessions, and pilot access to virtual mental health services. The project includes outreach, monitoring, data collection, and a community feedback session.
Project Impact
Digital Doorways reduces structural barriers to mental health care for individuals experiencing housing instability by creating safe, private access points for virtual counselling. The project strengthens service integration within Housing First environments, increases digital inclusion, and supports earlier intervention, improving well-being, service engagement, and system responsiveness.
Project Mission
Digital Doorways aims to expand equitable access to virtual mental health services for people experiencing homelessness. Its goals are to increase digital access within housing programs, build staff capacity through training, and pilot a sustainable, trauma-informed model that can be replicated across community-based settings.
Project Team
Interdisciplinary team spanning leadership, digital support, partnerships, evaluation, and technical expertise.
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