MentAlly

Identify implicit biases, learn from customized modules, and engage in valuable conversations to become a better ally.

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Inspiration

Our team's iOS app project targets the Health track, specifically mental health. The key problems we wanted to solve were: 1) becoming a “good” ally can feel overwhelming 2) unawareness of implicit biases 3) resources to combat biases effectively are often inaccessible 4) need for more productive conversations about race relations

What it does

Purpose: Building Better Allies. No matter your race or identity, MentAlly can: 1) Provide valuable resources 2) Identify your implicit biases 3) Facilitate relevant & intimate conversations amongst MentAlly users 4) Provide guidance from psychology professionals 5) Promote continual self-reflection & growth

The main features of the app: 1) Internal bias quiz 2) Resources to combat biases, organized by topic/module (ie. Police Brutality, White Privilege, Microaggressions, Systemic Racism, No Perfect Ally) 3) Anonymous forums to discuss current issues (users can add labels to their profile that show up when they post, ie. POC) 4) Options for exploring app content (self-selected or guided journey) 5) Opportunities for reflection and continual growth *Please see image gallery for a picture of main features.

Where to Find Our Code, Demo, and Presentation

GITHUB: 1) First Repo: https://github.com/bilgetatar/LoremIpsumHackDTech 2) Second (Newest) Repo: https://github.com/isabellawwang/LoremIpsumHackDTech2

VIDEO RECORDINGS: We recorded a Zoom run-through of the app and also our powerpoint presentation. We will have them uploaded to the GITHUB as soon as Zoom has finished processing it. Please check the second (newest) repo!

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION SLIDES: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1q4eR8xZcrGKYpMyURxEhFfbNy4CZlIuN9k4TcdYQSkI/edit?usp=sharing

How we built it

We were able to build the following features: 1) Full Main Storyboard and app flow (XCode + Swift language, Adobe Illustrator for UI design) 2) Integrated Database (Firebase) 3) User, Forum, & Reflection data* (Xcode, Swift, Adobe Illustrator, Firebase) 4) Implicit Bias Quiz* (derived from Harvard's Implicit Association Test) 5) Police Brutality Module (XCode, Swift, Adobe Illustrator)

*Resources used: 1) Combating Implicit Bias through self-reflection (derived project idea and content for “Reflect on Your Beliefs” prompts): Devine, P. G., Forscher, P. S., Austin, A. J., & Cox, W. T. (2012). Long-term reduction in implicit race bias: A prejudice habit-breaking intervention. Journal of experimental social psychology, 48(6), 1267–1278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2012.06.003

2) Implicit Association Test (content for Implicit Bias Test was derived from this): (https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/aboutus.html)

Challenges we ran into

1) GitHub (multiple people working on the XCode storyboard at the same time, individual branches and pushing/pulling from master branch) 2) Fully integrating backend and saving user progress 3) Designing a fully functional internal bias quiz that uses an algorithm to calculate results 4) Integrating full Settings page with Edit Username/Password

Accomplishments that we're proud of

1) Able to complete main storyboard with a complete user flow of the app 2) Completed UI color scheme and design, which was uniform throughout app 3) Integrating Firebase as a database, which sets up our app for further full-stack improvements 4) Content and resources were based off of research 5) Crash-coursed and became more familiar with XCode, Swift, Firebase, Adobe Illustrator in 24 hours!

What we learned

1) Collaboration on GitHub, particularly with XCode storyboards 2) Division of tasks in a virtual Hackathon, working from separate time zones 3) How to problem-solve under time constraints, not only in terms of learning technical skills but also in terms of prioritizing and re-prioritizing based on time elapsed

What's next for MentAlly

For future versions of the app, we would like to add the following features: 1) Hotlines by Geographic Area 2) Content Creation for Modules (Not only compiling more resources, but also creating unique content that users can read through and interact with to learn more) 3) Integrating on Demand Professional Psychology Support 4) Resolving Hackathon limitations: - Improving backend with Firebase - Designing fully-functional internal bias quiz

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