Building an AI-Powered Chatbot for Women’s Mental Health Support

This Omdena Local Chapter Challenge runs for 8 weeks and is a unique experience to try and grow your skills in a collaborative and safe environment with a diverse mix of people from all over the world. 

You will work on solving a local problem, initiated by Johannesburg, South Africa.

The problem

Gender-based violence is a pervasive issue in South Africa, impacting the well-being and mental health of countless women. However, due to various barriers such as stigma, limited access to resources, and fear of judgment, many women struggle to seek the support they desperately need. The lack of available services exacerbates the problem, leaving women feeling isolated and helpless.

The AI-powered chatbot we plan to develop will serve as a virtual support companion, providing a safe space for women to express their feelings, seek guidance, and access vital information about available resources. By leveraging chatbot technology, we aim to bridge the gap in mental health support and empower women to take control of their well-being.

The goals

The project goals are:

• Establish a Safe and Empathetic Platform: Develop a chatbot interface that fosters trust, empathy, and confidentiality, creating a safe space for women to discuss their experiences and seek support.
• Provide Accurate and Relevant Information: Ensure the chatbot offers accurate, up-to-date information about available support services, legal resources, counseling options, and self-care strategies tailored to the needs of women affected by gender-based violence in South Africa.
• Facilitate Connection to Support Networks: Enable the chatbot to connect users with local organizations, helplines, and support networks, creating a comprehensive and accessible support system for women in need.
• Promote Mental Health Education and Awareness: Incorporate educational resources within the chatbot to raise awareness about mental health, trauma, and self-care, empowering women with knowledge to better navigate their healing journey.

Why join? The uniqueness of Omdena Local Chapter Challenges

Omdena Local Chapter Challenges are not a competition or hackathon but a real-world project that will grow your experience to a new level.

A unique learning experience with the potential to make an impact through the outcome of the project. You will go through an entire data science project lifecycle. This covers problem scoping, data collection, and preparation, as well as modeling for deployment.

And the best part is that you will join the global and collaborative community of Omdena with tons of benefits to accelerate your career.

Read more on how Omdena´s Local Chapters work