PDF access

Authors

Mohamed Hassan, Maria George, Zahwa Ihab, Zeyad Wael

Supervised by: Dr. Essam Eliwa , Eng. Youssef Talaat

Publishing Date

 Nov 14th 2020

Abstract

Mental health is a vital aspect of our lives and the source of stability for the human being. Mental-health is affected by past traumas, daily interactions, and natural causes; hence we have to maintain the person’s balance to avoid falling into an unrecoverable hole. In MindTime, we will target the therapists and mental health patients as well as the general public to spread awareness. The mobile app will provide self-monitoring, and psychological first aid through the utilization of emotional intelligence through audio analysis, and natural language processing and computer vision.

1.1 Background

A mental health app is an alternative to traditional clinical methods. Patients can easily access E-health intervention on their own time via devices such as tablets and smartphones [1]. It has been proven that Mental Health Apps Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is equivalently effective as face-to-face CBT[2]. The app uses the elements of gamification to assure a friendly environment. MindTime aims to break the stigma that users encounter in face to face therapy and provide an immediate platform for therapy that is accessible anytime and anywhere. The system shall provide sentiment analysis, borderline symptoms detection, identification of self-harm tendency, measuring possible mental distress from voice frequency and mood tracking through the user’s diary. According to the extracted data from the user’s diary the system shall be able to take an action such as sending motivational phrases and cheerful sentences to improve the user’s mood.

1.2 Motivation

1.2.1 Academic

Researches showed that the majority of people have mental health problems and don’t seek medical help due to lack of available services and remote areas of clinics, however mobile technologies, social networks and online media provide an exciting opportunity. Mobile apps can become an ideal platform for self monitoring, motivational support and psycho-therapeutic advice. A research was conducted and proposed a deep learning model to identify several mental illness, one of the main illnesses were borderline illness[3].Researchers found that the apps help patients to self monitor and maintain a healthy mind state. Health Organization (WHO) has been supporting mental health apps so far, bracing its efficiency[4]. Mental health apps can be challenging for clinicians due to the lack of medical involvement in app development, insufficient information to keep doctors interested and can be challenging to patients due to the fear of patient confidentiality. While the vast majority of the apps do not have peer-reviewed research to support their claims, health experts predict they will play an important role in the future of mental health care by providing innovative solutions for the self-management of mental health disorders[5].

1.2.2 Business

Based on a study conducted by The Mental Health Organization 75% of the world suffer from mental health problems[6]. Also, a research was conducted and found that more than 20% of mental health patients suffer from borderline personality disorder and stated that it causes impairment and distress, in addition to it’s association with medical and psychological co-morbidity[7].The app will target the psychiatrist who needs to follow up with their patient using recent and modern techniques in treatment through CBT and to assist the doctors in the field with an easier and more innovative way than the personal notes and personal assistant. The app will also target a wide range of people who would seek mental health maintenance and those who are curious about mental disorders. Therefore breaking the time and financial constraints.

1.3 Problem Statement

• From our survey results we concluded that most people considered seeking professional mental health help. However, unavailability and practical barriers was what held them back.

• Also, distrust and fear of shame acted as a main barrier for most people to seek mental help.2

• Also, since some people prefers anonymity they wished to have the option of audio sessions.

• People often try to obtain information about their symptoms.