Tranquil Talks - A Chat-Based Counseling Website

Abstract

Tranquil Talks is a web-based counseling platform designed to provide accessible and confidential mental health support for adolescents aged 16-20. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by young people in this age group, Tranquil Talks offers a safe and supportive environment where individuals can connect with qualified counsellors and address their mental health concerns. Our platform utilizes advanced technology to facilitate real-time, text-based counseling sessions, ensuring privacy and convenience for users. By leveraging the expertise of psychology students under the guidance of experienced professionals, we offer affordable and personalized mental health support. Tranquil Talks aims to empower adolescents to navigate life’s challenges, build resilience, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Our platform is committed to promoting mental well-being and fostering a supportive community for young people.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

Many teenagers (ages 16-20) grapple with a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship difficulties. However, seeking traditional forms of counseling can be intimidating for these young individuals, who may feel uncomfortable with face-to-face interactions or fear judgment from others. Additionally, the barriers of cost, accessibility, and finding a suitable counselor can further discourage teenagers from seeking help. This pressing need for accessible, private, and free counseling options tailored to the unique experiences and challenges of young people has become increasingly evident in recent years. By providing a convenient and supportive platform, we can empower teenagers to address their mental health concerns and build healthier, more fulfilling lives. This website offers a free, accessible, and confidential online counseling platform tailored to the needs of 16-20-year-olds. Our goal is to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and provide personalized support.

A. Key Features

1. 24-hour Availability: Access help whenever you need it.
2. Privacy and Security: Your information is kept confidential.
3. Personalized Counseling: Work with a dedicated counselor.
4. Free of Charge: No financial burden to seek support.

II. LITERARY SURVEY

Online Counseling Platforms offer various options for individuals seeking therapy. Platforms like BetterHelp provide a popular online therapy experience, including text, video, and phone counseling sessions. Similarly, Talkspace specializes in offering text-based therapy with licensed therapists, while Therapy for Teens caters specifically to teenagers and young adults, making it a specialized resource for younger individuals. Chat-Based Counseling Services focus on  quick  and  accessible  support.   Crisis  Text  Line  is a reliable resource that offers crisis support via text messaging, ensuring help is available during emergencies. In addition, Teen Helpline provides both phone and online support for teenagers, making it a versatile option for those in need. Peer Counseling Programs create opportunities  for  mentorship  and  guidance.  Big  Brothers Big Sisters is a well-known program that pairs adults with children and teens to provide mentor- ship. Moreover, many schools implement Peer Counseling Programs to support students directly, fostering a supportive environment within educational institutions. Some limitations of the current system are:

1. Limited Availability: Some online platforms may have limited availability or require fees, making them inaccessible to certain individuals.
2. Lack of Specialization: Many platforms do not specifically cater to the unique needs of young people aged 16-20.
3. Potential for Misinformation: Peer counseling programs may not always provide accurate or professional advice.
4. Lack of Research: There is a limited amount of research on the effectiveness of online counseling platforms for young people.

III. METHODOLOGY

A. Architecture/Framework

To enhance the scalability, performance, and maintainability of the counseling website, we propose a microservices architecture. This architecture involves breaking down the application into smaller, independent services that communicate with each other via APIs.

• User Service: Handles user registration, authentication, and profile management.
• Chat Service: Handles real-time chat communication between users and counselors.

B. Technology Stack Selection

• Front-end: HTML and CSS will be used for building the user interface due to its component- based architecture, flexibility, and large community support.
• Back-end: Python and Javascript will be used for the server-side logic, providing a scalable and efficient platform for handling real-time communication and database interactions.
• Database: MySQL database to store user data, counselor profiles, and session transcripts. MySQL databases are well-suited for handling unstructured data and can scale efficiently.

C. System Architecture

• Frontend: The web application’s user interface, built using HTML and CSS, will handle user interactions, display content, and communicate with the backend.
• Backend: The server-side component, built using Python and Javascript will handle user authentication, session management, database interactions.
• Database: MySQLwill store user data, counselor profiles, session transcripts, and other relevant information.

D. Algorithm Explanation  

1) User Registration and Authentication

• Users will create accounts by providing their email address and password.
• The system will verify the email address.
• User data will be securely stored in the database.

2) Chat Functionality

• When a client initiates a chat session, the system will match them with a suitable counselor.
• Messages will be stored in the database for future reference.

E. Details of Hardware and Software

• Website builder:  Flask with Python
• Database: MySQL
• Programing language
• Frontend: HTML, CSS
• Backend: Python, Javascript.

Figure 1: Flowchart

Figure 2: Use-Case Diagram

Conclusion

1) The website allows seamless registration for counselors and counselees, with real-time chat functioning effectively. 2) Effective matching of counselors to counselees, enhancing service delivery. 3) Psychology students gain practical counseling experience. 4) Positive feedback highlights the platform’s accessibility and flexibility 5) Cost-effective development using open-source tools. The website meets its goals by providing effective, secure, and accessible counseling to young people. It provides safe, accessible counseling sessions, reduces teen mental health issues, and promotes open communication between young people and trained psychology students. The proposed counseling website has the potential to provide a valuable resource for young people seeking mental health support. By addressing the limitations of existing systems, the website can offer a more accessible and specialized platform. Future work may involve expanding the platform to include additional features, such as video counseling or group therapy sessions.

References

[1] A. Barak and I. Elkin, Online Counseling and Therapy for Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review of Individual Synchronous Interventions Using Chat, 2016. [2] J. H. Lee and J. H. Kim, Text-Based Online Counseling for Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 2018. [3] C. A. King and C. Caldwell, Mental Health Challenges Among Adolescents: A Review of the Literature, 2019. [4] J. M. Twenge and W. K. Campbell, The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health: A Systematic Review, 2018. [5] M. Borrego and V. Tinto, The Effectiveness of Psychology Students as Counselors: A Review of the Literature, 2018. [6] M. O’Connor and J. Carr, The Role of Psychology Students in Providing Mental Health Services: A Systematic Review, 2017.

Copyright

Copyright © 2024 Anuja Rane, Prisha Pereira, Rebecca Celine Sam, Sameera Pusalkar, Prof. Nilambari Narkar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.