Try out Xin AI: https://xin-ai-christinelai.replit.app/
Growing up around traditional Vietnamese-Chinese culture, I was struck with the “reality” that only physical health mattered and any signs of mental disorders were taboo and considered a sign of “weakness”. Mental health was always pushed to the side and that led to even bigger problems, especially for teenagers and young adults.
I found that not only I was dealing with this problem, but many of my other Asian friends were forced to bottle up their emotions and discouraged to talk about their feelings. Beyond this, I encountered many obstacles very early on when looking for mental health services, including the hefty price tags attached to getting quality mental care. Even through health insurance, I remember the care that I was receiving was never satisfying and left me feeling hopeless, wondering if I could get the proper help I needed.
This is why I made Xin AI, as a resource and service for the Asian American community to lean on when tending to their mental well being. I included features like an audio journal log so that users can walk through their emotions, a virtual meditation room to serve as a place to relax, and connected my users to care specialists that are specifically trained to help Asian Americans. These therapists would be picked out from a group of quality and affordable providers. I want my community to use it as a place to let it all out: rant, laugh, yell, cry - to feel.
My web app is named after the Chinese word for heart, Xīn 心. The Chinese character refers to the physical heart, but it also represents the mind. Xin is ultimately the root of physical and mental health. I was inspired by the significance the character held in representing the importance of both physical and mental wellness. I wholeheartedly believe everyone deserves easy accessibility to health services, especially and most importantly for mental health no matter genetic code, zip code, financial standing, or ethnicity.
