InSYNC

This project aims to develop a digital platform for real-time monitoring and response to mental health among youth.

Using ecological momentary assessments, mood trackers, and artificial intelligence, stress can be identified and even predicted among youth. Using an innovative approach, InSYNC is a digital mental health platform designed to deliver immediate, real-time support to youth and adolescents by utilizing their own personal smartphone devices. By harnessing the ubiquity of smartphones, InSYNC aims to offer timely and accessible mental health resources, enhancing the overall wellbeing of this vulnerable demographic.

This digital platform proactively caters to the mental health needs of youth and adolescents between the ages of 13 to 18. This critical developmental stage often invovles distinct challenges and vulnerabilities, making it imperative to provide youth with comprehensive and age-appropriate mental health support.

InSYNC uses multiple avenues of virtual support that are accessible at all times, including providing personalized online resources, connecting youth and adolescents with professional mental health support, and empowering them to interact with one another on their own terms. Importantly, INSYNC places a strong emphasis on safeguarding privacy, ensuring that youth can explore and engage with the application while maintaining the confidentiality and security of their personal information. 

This project is led by Dr. Tarun Katapally (Principal Invesitgator) at Western University in collaboration with CHANGE Research Lab (Co-PI, Dr. Bhawra), and is currently being piloted in Ontario, Canada.