Amare
A project that highlights my technical computer programming skills.
Role
Website development
Technologies
React.js, Node.js, AWS, HTML, CSS, Github, Javascript
Purpose
Internship project
Problem
Finding resources for mental health can be a challenging and frustrating task. Whether it's the need for emergency help, finding a suitable provider, accessing therapy, helplines, support groups, or local services, the process can often feel overwhelming. The scarcity of these resources makes it even more difficult for individuals seeking assistance in times of crisis. Furthermore, there is a prevailing lack of spaces where people can freely express their feelings without fear of judgment. Having dedicated spaces for open conversations about emotions is crucial in fostering a supportive and understanding environment. Such spaces provide solace and validation, making it easier for individuals to navigate their mental health journey with comfort and confidence. However, the scarcity of these spaces makes it all the more imperative to prioritize the development and accessibility of mental health resources within our communities.
Online mental health resources have become an increasingly vital and sought-after support system, particularly in recent times. However, statistics reveal concerning scarcity in terms of availability. An analysis of various online platforms revealed that less than 40% offered comprehensive mental health information and services. These figures paint a clear picture of the scarcity and inadequacy of online mental health resources, emphasizing the urgent need for more accessible and reliable solutions for individuals in need.
Less than 40% of online resources offer comprehensive mental health information
Solution
FRONTEND
ReactJS
HTML/CSS
Amare is an online platform designed to empower individuals by offering a safe space for expressing their emotions and sharing coping methods that have brought them solace. Amare goes beyond traditional blogging platforms by curating commonly posted mental health resources, ensuring easy access to valuable information at the top of the blog page. With the ability to speak openly and anonymously, users find comfort in sharing their experiences while benefiting from the platform's consolidation of diverse strategies and resources. Amare aims to foster a supportive community where individuals can glean insights from one another's journeys and find solace in the knowledge that they are not alone. By seamlessly merging user-generated content with comprehensive mental health resources, Amare provides a holistic approach to emotional well-being, fostering personal growth in every aspect of life.
mvp process
Feature Brainstorm & Selection
I brainstormed various functionalities that will give users the opportunity to express their feelings and emotions in a safe environment with ease.
Page Design
I utilized Figma to create mockups for each page, creating a user-friendly and personalized user interface that reflects this platform’s mission. Figma's intuitive interface allowed me to seamlessly create and iterate on various design elements, ensuring a smooth user journey. I was able to gather feedback from my team members in real time, making the design process collaborative and inclusive. Figma's extensive library of pre-designed components and assets enabled me to maintain consistency throughout the platform, while its prototyping capabilities allowed me to bring my designs to life. Although I’ve used Figma before, this project challenged me to think about different design elements and how to present information to users in an appealing manner effectively. Simplicity was the focus of this design, as I wanted the content to speak for itself.
Frontend Development
For the frontend development of our platform, I used ReactJS for dynamic navigation and for getting content from external sources for user registration, the login page, and blog posts. Using the JavaScript library, I was able to create a seamless user experience by building reusable UI components. React's virtual DOM allowed for lightning-fast rendering, ensuring optimal performance. Leveraging React's component-based architecture, I organized the code into modular and scalable components, promoting code reusability and maintainability. It was my first time coding with ReactJS, so it was a challenging language to understand at first. However, after reading many articles and taking courses, I was able to code this platform successfully. I also used HTML and CSS to code the web page structure and styling.
Backend Development
To develop the backend of this platform, I utilized NodeJS and Express libraries to build 3 main Rest APIs: login API that allows users to input a username and password, register API that allows users to sign up for our platform, and post API that allows users to create a post and engage with their communities posts. By utilizing the Express framework, I was able to easily handle HTTP requests, set up routes, and implement middleware for authentication, error handling, and more. Express gave me the flexibility to create a scalable and efficient backend, ensuring seamless communication between the frontend and the server. With Node.js and Express, I was able to deliver a reliable and responsive platform.
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BACKEND
NodeJS
Express
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DATABASE
AWS RDS
MySQL
Takeaways
This was one of the first major technical projects I’ve had to code and present to a panel of professionals. During the process of completing this project, I was able to learn various aspects of website development, starting from website design to frontend/backend development. I was able to see firsthand how Rest APIs work, how MySQL allows us to use and configure databases, and more. I spent a lot of time researching and learning different programming languages, which allowed me to become more versatile in my computer programming skills, as well as strengthen my research skills.
Leverage AI’s capabilities
For future projects, I hope to utilize the power of Artificial Intelligence to make my applications more effective, as AI is quickly becoming a part of our everyday lives. As this was my first big technical project, if I had used AI, it would’ve allowed me to turn my idea into a reality quickly and efficiently.
Change one thing at a time
During the beginning of my development process, a lot of my test cases started to fail, and some features stopped working. I spent a lot of time changing the structure of my code, rather than changing one part of my code at a time. In the future, I hope to use short iterations to fix problems, rather than fixing the entire thing at once.