Help me launch my MENTAL HEALTH chatbot

In 2018, after several years of wondering what was wrong with me, I was diagnosed with Social Anxiety and Autism. The main symptoms of this for me was - and still is - a daily struggle to participate in everyday life; everything from not being able to leave the house to extreme nervousness of being in the company of anybody but my close family. This meant virtually a whole year out of school as my mind and body wouldn't let me leave the house which of course made everything worse. I felt it was almost impossible to talk to anyone about my condition but I was still crying out for help. This would often lead to long sleepless nights where I felt very alone and unable to communicate even though I was surrounded by a very close and loving family.

Prior to this, I had found a passion for software development and eventually I turned to this to try and help myself and others in my position. I felt the need for a Chatbot (an automated computer program designed to simulate conversation with human users) specifically aimed at sufferers from Mental Health conditions. The idea was to help build confidence in the user to seek professional help. I have now developed this software to a basic level but face a couple of hardware challenges given that the equipment I am using for it and potentially for its further development, isn't fit for purpose. Therefore I am respectfully asking for a small amount of financial backing in order for me to bring this concept to life and help many others like me.

Using the project, I have entered and been named as a finalist for the 2019 Skills Brightsparks competition which is going to be in Auckland on the 7th of November.