CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — New research indicates that approximately 75% of women experience at least one mental health challenge by the time they reach 24. In response, two graduate students at the University of Illinois are working to provide immediate support through a new app, “She Heal.”
Currently under development, the app will feature an AI-powered chatbot designed to offer mental health advice tailored specifically to women. Once launched, the app aims to address a critical gap in mental health care.
“There is a significant unmet need for mental health support among women,” said Akshita Arora, co-founder of She Heal.
Arora, along with co-founder Aamish Samotra, is working to bridge that gap with the creation of She Heal. Their goal is to revolutionize mental health care with a new approach that caters specifically to women’s needs.
“While there are many mental health apps available today, most are either too clinical or not gender-specific,” Arora explained. “That’s where the need for a women-focused mental health app arises.”
The duo, who met in India and have been in a relationship for over a decade, have spent years developing the app. Having observed the lack of mental health support, especially for women, in their home country, they decided to take action, leveraging the latest advancements in AI technology to address the issue in the U.S.
“The large language model behind the chatbot will be specifically trained to address the unique challenges women face,” Arora added. “And it will be supported by mental health professionals who will ensure the advice is accurate and reliable.”
The app’s chatbot will be continuously updated and reviewed by clinical experts, who will provide guidance and validate the responses it generates. In April, Arora and Samotra presented She Heal to a panel of investors at the Cozad New Venture Challenge, receiving positive feedback and valuable experience.
“The Venture Challenge was a significant boost for us,” Samotra said. “We received excellent feedback that has helped us improve our project.”
With She Heal, the founders hope to make mental health support more accessible for women, offering immediate assistance whenever it’s needed.
“I want this app to be available for every woman,” Samotra said. “When they’re going through something, they should be able to talk to someone instantly. That’s the goal: immediate, accessible support.”
