AI-Enhanced Mental Health Support for Vulnerable Populations [Minor Thesis]

Primary supervisor

Roisin McNaney

Co-supervisors

Mental health challenges disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, often due to limited access to traditional healthcare services. The rise of Generative AI offers a groundbreaking opportunity to bridge this gap by providing personalized, scalable, and accessible mental health support. This project, led out of Action Lab, aims to harness the potential of Generative AI to develop innovative technologies tailored for mental health interventions.

About us

Action Lab is multidisciplinary team of 30 impact-focused researchers, designers and engineers working at the intersection of communities, technology and social innovation. Systems designed and built at Action Lab (always in collaboration with real-world organisations and academic partners) are used nationally and internationally.

Roisin McNaney and Delvin Varghese are academics based at Action Lab in the Department of Human-Centred Computing. Roisin leads the CSIRO Next Gen Graduate Program in AI & Mental Health.

    Student cohort

    Double Semester

    Aim/outline

    • Develop Personalized AI Tools: Design AI-driven applications that can generate real-time, personalized support and interventions based on user interactions and feedback.
    • Deploy Off-the-Shelf AI Tools: Utilize established AI platforms for rapid development and deployment of mental health applications. These tools offer robust frameworks that can be customized to meet specific intervention needs, accelerating the prototype phase
    • Enhance Accessibility: Create solutions that are accessible to individuals with limited access to mental health resources, including remote or underserved communities.
    • Research and Refine: Utilize iterative design and testing processes to ensure the technologies are effective, ethical, and sensitive to the specific needs of vulnerable groups.
    • Researching Ethical AI Practices: Special attention will be given to the ethical implications of using AI in sensitive settings. This includes ensuring data privacy, securing informed consent, and mitigating any biases in AI models that could affect outcomes.
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    URLs/references

    Examples of projects done at action lab

    https://www.monash.edu/it/hcc/action-lab/projects

    Our latest impactful project collaboration: 

    https://limitless.solferinoacademy.com/

    More about the Next Gen in AI & MH program

     https://www.monash.edu/it/nextgen/ai-in-mental-health

    Required knowledge

    • We are looking for Master’s students who are passionate about technology and its potential for social good, especially in the field of mental health.
    • Candidates should have skills in data science broadly defined (machine learning, natural language processing) and a commitment to creating ethical AI solutions.
    • Experience in user experience design is optional but desirable!

    How to apply

    Step 1: Find out if you are eligible and able to take it in the upcoming semester.

    Step 2: Please send me an email in the following format: 

    • Subject: "Interest in <TITLE>"
    • Body: Explain why you are interested? What is your unique background OR what is the skillset you are trying to build for your future career?
    • Attachments: A copy of your unofficial WES transcript & an up-to-date CV