Diep Gia Bao, founder of the Mindvivo project that provides mental health care for young people - Photo: NVCC

And he found the answer from the Mindvivo project, a mental health care application he founded, which partly explains that concern.

AI for mental health

Bao used to work as a project manager and coordinator at several companies and NGOs. It was a great opportunity for him to connect technology with product strategy and create social impact. But it all started from the real-life stories of his friends around him, which motivated him to do this project.

Bao said he had a friend who was always cheerful and active, but every day around 3am he would fall into a negative, heavy state and not know who to talk to. Then another friend went to work and was under financial pressure but also did not have close friends to share with like when he was in his hometown. Bao himself left his hometown of Binh Dinh to study and live in Ho Chi Minh City, so he sympathized with that situation.

Through both news and attending seminars on mental health, Bao learned that nearly 15% of the Vietnamese population is likely to suffer from mental disorders, while the number of psychologists and treating doctors is not enough to meet the demand.

The question that kept repeating in Bao's mind was: "What solution can operate 24/7, effectively and inexpensively so that young people can be listened to, open up, and access mental health care solutions?"

Mindvivo was created by a friend not only to provide a technological tool but also to serve as a companion to help users express their feelings and emotions in a discreet and private way.

Bao uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to build Chatbots that help listen and respond in a way that makes the other person feel understood, close, and not judged.

"I just kept working and learning. Thanks to making websites and applications from small projects, I gradually built up to what Mindvivo is today," the former marketing student excitedly said.

I don't want to stop at the application but hope to develop it to serve the community, so that more and more people can access mental health care and feel happier with Mindvivo.

DIEP GIA BAO

Vietnamese apps are not just for Vietnamese people.

Gia Bao said there are certain barriers for young people to access mental health care. They rarely express their emotions because they are afraid of being considered weak, so they choose to stay silent and suffer alone. Psychological counseling is not yet a habit, sometimes hindered because time, distance and cost are also problems for many young people.

The original application used a lot of theoretical and academic knowledge, so it was considered dry and difficult to meet the interaction needs of young people. Bao added emoticons to make the AI ​​conversation more friendly, more suitable for the 20-30 year old user group, which is also the main target of the project.

"Chatbots now respond naturally and concisely like light conversations, no longer long-winded paragraphs. We also include psychological tests, mindfulness practices, and allow scheduling psychological consultations with experts at prices that fit the financial conditions of young people," Gia Bao boasted.

The project can provide a variety of chatbots to support a wide range of users. From fun chats to stress relief, instructions on relaxation and deep breathing techniques, to even mental health care specifically for postpartum women, and support for the LGBT community...

The project's founder also trained the chatbot to converse in multiple languages ​​and thought about expanding internationally. Through research, Bao realized that Singapore, Thailand and China all have similar concepts of mental health and mindfulness, the only difference is the specific needs of users in each place. And that is the space that Bao believes can develop the project further.

Win the prize

At the AI.STAR 2024 competition, Mindvivo was among the top 5 projects receiving VND400 million in support from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology during the acceleration phase. The project also received many other awards.

Including a $150,000 grant from Microsoft, mentorship from Seedstars and EY Singapore, top social initiatives in UNDP's Springboard elevate 2024 program, and second prize in the Impact Start-up 2023 startup competition organized by the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Most recently, Mindvivo is one of 100 projects selected by the All Tech Is Human Organization (USA) from more than 900 projects to participate in a program connecting with advisors in many fields such as public policy, AI ethics...

"Mindvivo will expand features, add support tools and provide free accounts for disadvantaged groups, aiming to serve more users in Vietnam," Gia Bao said.

Companions

Mindvivo is indeed a personal idea, but Bao always mentions Master Tran Thu Ha - Deputy Head of Psychology Department, Van Lang University, who ensures the professionalism and science of the project, and Master Susanna Brunner from the United Nations Development Program, who breathes life into the design and user experience.

That was also lecturer Hoang Thi Thu Van at the Faculty of Commerce, Van Lang University, when she was the first person to support Bao with 5 million VND and encouraged this student to do it right away when he heard his friend share his idea. Ms. Van is still advising and supporting Bao to connect with other teachers and experts when needed.

"I see that idea as not just a technology project but also has profound humanistic values. Because modern society always entails mental pressure, especially for young people, the need for a convenient and accessible psychological counseling platform is very necessary and I support it," Ms. Thu Van shared.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tro-chuyen-cung-ai-giai-toa-tam-ly-202504161005168.htm