AI-powered mental health support for Costa Rica.
A personalized, culturally relevant platform that detects potential crises and connects users to local mental health services — making support easier, faster, and more approachable for everyone.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The SDGs provide a global framework for advancing peace, equity, and sustainable development. This project aligns specifically with SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all individuals.
This project contributes to the SDG framework by addressing gaps in mental health awareness and access in Costa Rica. It emphasizes prevention, education, and equitable access to psychological support.
This issue directly engages fundamental human rights, including the right to health, life, non-discrimination, and access to information. Social stigma and limited knowledge of mental health resources contribute to unequal access to care.
A growing public health concern, too long overlooked.
Suicide represents a growing and overlooked public health concern in Costa Rica. Over the past decade, rising rates have been associated with multiple interrelated factors.
Chronic stress, substance abuse, social isolation, and limited awareness of available mental health resources have all contributed to increasing rates over the past decade.
Young people, men, and low-income populations are most affected. Many face barriers to care, stigma, and emotional distress without adequate support.
These figures indicate a significant and persistent mental health crisis, highlighting gaps in prevention, awareness and access to care.
For every recorded death, there are approximately 33 attempts — revealing a massive population in crisis that can still be reached.
AI-powered mental health support, culturally relevant.
An AI-powered mental health web app that delivers personalized, culturally relevant guidance, detects potential crises, and connects users to local mental health services in Costa Rica.
The system collects user input through guided questions, processes using AI-based natural language analysis, and outputs tailored recommendations and verified sources.
Data will be collected directly through the AI's interactions with users. It will ask users about their awareness of mental health resources before and after providing support.
Success will be measured by a statistically significant increase in user awareness of mental health resources, comparing pre- and post-interaction responses collected through the AI system.
The system incorporates ethical safeguards, including user anonymity, data privacy protection, and crisis-response protocols aligned with mental health best practices.
Expected Outcomes & Scalability.
Users gain better knowledge of mental health and easier access to support services. The app helps reduce stigma and encourages early help-seeking behavior.
The solution can expand to other countries by adapting content to local cultures and resources. Its AI-based design allows easy scaling and improvement.
A functional platform, delivering on its primary objective.
The project successfully achieved its primary objective: the development of a functional AI-based mental health platform.
This solution contributes to increased awareness, improved access to mental health resources, and supports users in crisis situations. It represents a meaningful step toward strengthening community well-being and preventive care.
This AI-powered mental health tool is an innovative and accessible solution designed to increase awareness and connect users with reliable resources in Costa Rica. By combining technology with culturally relevant support, it offers a scalable and impactful way to improve well-being, making mental health support easier, faster, and more approachable for everyone.