How we can support youth mental health with a dynamic chatbot

The Aroha chatbot is designed to address psychosocial and mental health challenges young people face as a result of Covid. Mental health disorders typically emerge during adolescence and young adulthood and modelling suggests an increase in mental illness and suicide in the coming months, particularly in youth who have experienced disruption to schooling, post-secondary education and training, job prospects and social and intimate relationships. They will also be one of the groups hit hardest by economic recession from the lockdown. Aroha delivers an accessible evidence-based intervention using cognitive behavioural therapy and positive psychology approaches. It is based on effective chatbots already deployed by researchers in the Department of Psychological Medicine and School of Computer Science. The project has been awarded funding for a three-stage 18-month work plan to deliver progressive enhancements to Aroha for domestic use and toward international audiences, to address lasting pandemic impacts as identified through ongoing youth focus groups, chatbot usage and user feedback.