Teenager Designs Intuitive App Aimed To Predict Suicidal Tendencies

Siddhu Pachipala, a student from The Woodlands College Park High School in Houston, Texas, has devised a way for artificial intelligence to read the signs of suicidal tendencies, and prevent people from taking their lives with early detection.
 
SuiSensor was built upon data from medical studies and journals by professionals that Pachipala believes will be able to replace outdated ways of diagnosing those at risk of committing suicide.
 
In a report to NPR, he surmises that it currently takes too long for teenagers to show legitimate signs of suicide, and early prevention could be key to saving them. These key indicators include mood changes, hopelessness, and a shift in sleep patterns that might go unnoticed by others around them.
 
SuiSensor scans through text to see if its user might be having those negative thoughts. The natural language system delves into the writing patterns of people as it can often show such risks before they manifest into something bigger.

The app acts as a provisional test someone could take to see if they’re experiencing any deeper unresolved issues. After which, the results can then be shared with a healthcare provider and even get people in touch with professionals and local clinicians.
 
In the same report, Pachipala posits that the app has an accuracy of 98%. Matt Nock, a professor of psychology at Harvard University, reckons that machine learning can be beneficial in aiding such issues. However, chatbots are still not an end-all cure. Colorado-based Nathaan Demers, who oversees mental health websites and apps, maintains that tools like Pachipala’s could fill a void in the sector that allows people to stay better informed about their mental wellness.
 
Pachipala has also entered the Regeneron Science Talent Search competition to gain further awareness of his app. He came in ninth overall and received a prize of US$50,000.
 
With all that said, if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please seek help at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 9-8-8. In addition, you can text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
 
 
 
[via Interesting Engineering and NPR, ID 103770374 © Tero Vesalainen | Dreamstime.com]