Wednesday, December 4, 2024

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• New AI chatbot could be the "door" to mental health
• Emergency Notification System test tomorrow
• Youth guns and gangs symposium today, other notes

New AI chatbot could be the "door" to mental health

A student using Doro on their laptop. During the session, Doro can provide some cognitive and behavioural techniques commonly used by therapists to help the user overcome their challenges.

By Mayuri Punithan. This is an excerpt of an article originally published on Waterloo News.

A University of Waterloo student developed an AI-powered app to help people exhibiting early signs of a mental health condition. 

Described as “your daily mental health coach,” the app, Doro, offers 30-minute chat sessions where users can express their concerns and feelings about anything. From feeling overwhelmed with an assignment to self-esteem issues, the chatbot can suggest various cognitive and behavioural techniques commonly used by therapists like journaling, exposure or mindfulness.  

“Doro can address any risk factors for mental health like stress, relationship challenges or loneliness to prevent any escalation,” says co-creator Rastin Rassoli. “For example, if someone’s schedule is stressful, Doro could help with planning.” 

The app sits at the cutting edge of computer science and psychology research. Rassoli's team built Doro by creating Large Language Models (LLMs) that were trained on publicly available therapy sessions. They also researched therapy techniques to address common conditions, like insomnia or anxiety. 

“During the session, Doro will shift between these models. If Doro wants to probe the user, there's a LLM for that. Doro has different LLMs for delivering solutions like thought record or reattribution,” Rassoli says. 

With these interdisciplinary features, Doro can deliver accurate and efficient care, right at your fingertips. 

During the first session, Doro will ask the user about their experience with mental health and other identity-based questions like age or gender identity. This helps the app accurately understand the user’s needs.  

For example, if someone is experiencing a panic attack, Doro may ask them to try some breathing exercises. It may also suggest an exercise used in dialectical behaviour therapy called grounding, where someone explains their surroundings based on the five senses, such as touch or smell. These techniques could help the user regulate their emotions and connect with the present, reducing the attack’s intensity. Meanwhile, Doro will ask if they want to discuss their feelings or if they prefer different methods. 

Doro co-creator Rastin Rassoli.

Rassoli was inspired to create Doro, after working at a mental health startup in 2022, where he helped create Joyi, a mobile game to help high school and university students manage their anxiety. Throughout his co-op work terms, he interviewed various students about their mental health challenges and was surprised to learn that there wasn’t much support for people at the subclinical stage. 

The subclinical stage refers to individuals who are facing problems that are affecting their mental well-being. However, it isn’t serious enough for a diagnosis, preventing them from accessing important resources like medication.  

“These individuals are showing early symptoms like daily anxiety, sleep disturbance or social withdrawal,” Rassoli says. “All of these symptoms emerge very early, like weeks or months before the full mental health disorder manifests. Unfortunately, there's not much support for this stage and if you don’t receive it as soon as possible, your mental health will worsen.” 

Read the full article on Waterloo News

Emergency Notification System test tomorrow

On Thursday, December 5, the emergency notification system (ENS) provided by Regroup will be tested across campus.

The test will include the following communications channels: 

• SMS/text 
• Email 
• X (formerly Twitter) 
• Regroup Mobile (safety app) 
• Desktop Alert 

Please ensure that you have: 

1. Downloaded Regroup Mobile to your device and follow the login and recommended settings steps. 
2. Ensured your cell phone number is up to date either in the app if you are staff, or in Quest if you are a student. 
3. Downloaded and installed the Desktop Alert tool onto your computer. 

If you have any questions about the upcoming test, or about how to make sure Regroup’s app and desktop alert are installed properly on your devices, email ens@uwaterloo.ca. 

Youth guns and gangs symposium today, other notes

An all-day symposium on youth violence and gang activity is taking place today at Hagey Hall. 2024 Youth Gun and Gangs Symposium - The Roses That Grow From Concrete is an event "focused on addressing issues related to youth involvement in gun violence and gangs" and will feature experts and community leaders sharing their knowledge and exeprtise on an all-too-relevant topic.

The symposium's name, "The Roses That Grow From Concrete," comes from a similarly-titled poem written by rapper Tupac Shakur who famously died by gun violence in 1996. "In this poem he argues that like a rose growing from concrete marginalized youth, even with their gifts, are continuously viewed as ‘broken’, ‘sick’, and problematic," says a note from conference organizers. "Such narratives about racialized/marginalized and Indigenous youth have led to not only stigmatization (they are viewed as criminal gang members), but also subsequent social and policy responses that have sought to ‘fix’ or control the so-called problem or threat. However, critical scholars, including those with lived experience in the streets/gangs have argued that the narrative that has been created about gangs/gang violence is not only inaccurate, but also incomplete. As such the policies that have been designed to mitigate the issue, including criminal justice responses, have failed these youth."

Symposium speakers include conference organizer Dr. Adam Ellis, Assistant Professor in Sociology and Legal Studies at Waterloo University of Waterloo, Dr. Luca Berardi of McMaster University, Dr. Holly Campeau of Waterloo, Kevin George of the Library, Arlene Jane Pitts, founder of Hustle Heal Motivate Psychotherapy, Che Latchford, Director of Implementation and Impact, Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, and representatives from Waterloo Regional Police.

The Warriors Figure Skating End-of-Term Showcase takes place tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the Columbia Icefield Rink. Members of the University community are nvited to join Warriors Figure Skating student-athletes and coaches as they showcase their 2024-25 programs exclusively for alumni, family, and supporters. Following the showcase, guests are invited to join the team for an Alumni & Friends Skate. Bring a non-perishable food item for admission - all items will be donated to the WUSA Food Support Service.

A Climate Science Bootcamp is set for Thursday, December 5 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in EV3 4408. The boot camp will feature Dr. Peter Crank from the Climate Institute and the event is intended for faculty and graduate students interested in teaching about climate change and increasing their knowledge, comfort, and techniques. "This workshop is designed to help participants get comfortable with the basics of climate science, debunk climate myths, and find a safe space to ask questions," says a note from organizers. "Engage in discussion with instructors from Waterloo, Laurier, and Conestoga about what students need, explore how climate change can enrich various disciplines, and chat about how to navigate emotions like hope and despair in your teaching." 

Register today!