FeelBetter Buddy

We have developed a chatbot aimed at supporting individuals dealing with depression and mental health challenges in their daily lives. This innovative tool assists users in filtering messages, emails, and articles based on their emotional tone, enabling them to quickly determine whether the content warrants engagement without needing to read everything in detail. To enhance user comfort and trust, we incorporated color psychology in the chatbot’s design, choosing blue to symbolize trustworthiness. The chatbot also offers users the option to connect with a therapist if they desire further assistance. By analyzing the user's speech pace, the chatbot assesses emotional states—slower speech typically indicates sadness, while faster speech reflects happiness. This allows the chatbot to identify when a user may be experiencing depressive feelings. Additionally, the chatbot provides insights into the causes of these emotions and suggests possible solutions. Importantly, in cases where there is a risk of self-harm or serious mental health issues, it will always recommend speaking with a qualified professional. We believe that AI should not be solely relied upon for solutions to individuals struggling with depression, as this could breach ethical medical standards. Conversely, while there are no strict ethical guidelines limiting interactions with happy users, the chatbot acknowledges their positive emotions. It differentiates between happiness, anxiety, and anger by first checking speech pace and then analyzing specific words associated with these states. If a user is sad, the chatbot will use only one or two 'sad' emojis to build rapport, as excessive use can trigger negative emotions. In contrast, it enhances the experience for happy users by incorporating more 'happy' emojis to strengthen their connection.