Project summary

• The Problem: The lack of a supportive peer environment in Kenyan universities hinders students from freely sharing their problems without fear of judgment. This issue arises due to the inadequate attention given to mental health in educational institutions. Consequently, students who desire to seek assistance feel unsure about where and whom to approach.

• Our Solution: We propose a platform, Mindmatch, to foster communication and collaboration among students, break down stigma, and empower students to address their mental health needs in a safe, confidential space.

• Platform Features:

  • Confidential peer and mentor support.

  • Location-based peer matching.

  • Anonymous profile options for privacy.

  • Integrated chat, voice calls, and community groups.

  • Consent form and terms of service.

  • Easy access chatbot for guidance.

• How It Works:

  • Signup/login to the app, select peer/mentor toggle.

  • Engage with peers via group chats or one-on-one communication.

  • Access mental health resources and communities tailored to your needs.

Project Summary

Mindmatch is an inclusive peer support platform for university students in Kenya, designed to address the lack of a supportive peer environment. The project aims to enhance student mental well-being by enabling students to connect with peers who share similar experiences, fostering an environment of empathy, confidentiality, and support.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

Goals:

• Create a safe, stigma-free platform for peer support.

• Promote mental well-being and reduce feelings of isolation.

• Empower students to address mental health issues through technology.

How:

• Develop a mobile and web-based platform.

• Partner with mental health professionals and student organizations.

• Launch the platform in Kenyan universities, starting with pilot schools.
  

How will this funding be used?

The funding will be used to:

• Finalize platform development (coding, design, testing).

• Expand server capacity for scaling.

• Partner with universities and mental health organizations for outreach.

• Conduct user testing to ensure platform reliability.
  

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

• Clare Gisore: Project Lead, experienced in software engineering and data analysis.

• Lavenda Mokaya: Mental health advocate and peer mentor.

• Nakhla Said: UX/UI Designer with experience in student support apps.

• Everlyn Kihiu: Developer with a focus on mobile applications.

• Margaret Wambugu: Psychologist and advisor on mental health initiatives.

Track Record:

• Prior experience with mental health application development and peer support initiatives.
  

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

Possible causes:

• Low user engagement due to stigma surrounding mental health.

• Technological challenges with scaling or maintaining the platform.

Outcomes:

• Delayed adoption, which would require more outreach and collaboration with mental health advocates to foster trust.
  

What other funding are you or your project getting?

Currently, there is no other external funding for this project. However, we plan to seek additional grants and partnerships with health and education organizations if necessary.