Part 4: So what? And why?

My journey is not a typical one. It began with a friend pointing out a shared struggle we both face: imposter syndrome. This personal connection sparked my deeper interest in the topic and led me to consider the role of AI in addressing it without causing MORE harm. I added code-switching to the problem I want to solve because, at the end of the day (and sometimes at the beginning), I just can't anymore. Raise your hand if you can relate.

I also learned that July is BIPOC Mental Health Month.

The first time I felt a sense of 'not belonging' was in 10th grade when someone pointed out that I was the only Black student in the Precalculus class. I pointed out a senior and someone else and was corrected that they were the TAs and not taking an 'advanced' class. Oof!? It didn't matter that I was also in several AP classes and on the Decathlon team. Being ahead in math (thanks to a friend from junior high who dragged me behind her in every math class) was their last straw. From then on, I let doubt drag me down whenever I started to have difficulty (also, I was not a great math student to begin with). That same friend spent hours of our six years together tutoring me in exchange for proofing her essays. We all have our various strengths. ?

So What??

That experience was the first time I? doubted my own abilities, and in part fuels my determination to combat imposter syndrome.

Questions I asked myself:

1. What can I build with my existing understanding of LLMs to combat imposter syndrome? Why should I? And how hard is it going to be?

Everyone is using ChatGPT to build chatbots, so I decided to follow that path, hoping it would be well-documented.

2. And Why??

• Historically, mental health technologies have under-served BIPOC communities. This chatbot would directly address their unique needs, filling a critical gap in the market.
• Recent global events have underscored the importance of mental health, leading to a significant surge in demand for digital support solutions. This chatbot, designed to meet this demand, offers accessible, immediate support, making it a timely and relevant solution.
• There's a growing recognition of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all areas of life, including mental health. By focusing on BIPOC communities, this chatbot aligns with these values, demonstrating a commitment to social impact.

3. Who are my stakeholders?

BIPOC women were my main focus, but the more I dug into this and talked to people, the more the list of potential stakeholders grew.

• women+
• BIPOC men
• people from lower socio-economic backgrounds?
• mental health providers?
• job seekers who have been on the market for months, if not years?

4. What risks do I need to be aware of?

Other than the most obvious one for me – failure, doing a Risk Register exercise helped me flesh out other risks such as:

• Inaccurate responses, reduced user satisfaction, and decreased adoption of the chatbot
• Privacy and Data Protection Issues
• Breach of user trust, legal penalties, and potential shutdown of the chatbot
• Lack of impact on the target community
• Frustrated users, high dropout rates, and negative user feedback impacting overall project success

5. Who cares?

BIPOC Individuals Facing Imposter Syndrome and Code-Switching Challenges

Why They Care:

• Personal Support: BIPOC individuals often face unique pressures related to imposter syndrome and the cognitive burden of code-switching in both professional and everyday environments. This chatbot offers culturally sensitive, personalized support, helping them manage and overcome these challenges.
• Mental Health Improvement: The chatbot aims to improve mental well-being by providing targeted advice and resources, boosting confidence, and reducing feelings of isolation.
• Accessibility: The chatbot is easily accessible and provides immediate support anytime, making it a reliable companion for users needing quick guidance and reassurance.

Mental Health Advocates and Organizations

Why They Care:

• Resource Augmentation: Mental health advocates and organizations are always looking for innovative ways to support the mental well-being of diverse communities. This chatbot serves as an additional tool in their arsenal, explicitly tailored to the needs of BIPOC individuals.
• Advancing Inclusivity: Supporting a project that addresses mental health disparities aligns with their mission to promote inclusivity and equity in mental health care.
• Collaboration Opportunities: Organizations can collaborate with the chatbot developers to integrate their resources and expand their reach, enhancing the overall impact.

Employers and DEI Professionals

Why They Should Care:

• Employee Well-being: Employers and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) professionals recognize the importance of supporting their employees' mental health. This chatbot helps BIPOC employees feel more supported and valued, improving overall job satisfaction and productivity.
• Diversity Initiatives: Implementing tools that specifically address the unique challenges faced by BIPOC employees demonstrates a company's commitment to diversity and inclusion, which can enhance its reputation and attract diverse talent.
• Reducing Turnover: Companies can reduce turnover rates and foster a more inclusive work environment by providing resources to help employees manage imposter syndrome and code-switching.

Academic and Research Communities

Why They Should Care:

• Research Opportunities: The chatbot provides a valuable case study for researchers studying the impacts of technology on mental health, particularly within marginalized communities.
• Data and Insights: Insights gathered from the chatbot's usage can inform future studies and contribute to the broader understanding of imposter syndrome and code-switching among BIPOC individuals.
• Innovation in Mental Health: The project represents a significant step forward in leveraging AI and technology to address specific mental health needs, which is of great interest to academic and research communities focused on mental health innovation.

Tech and AI Enthusiasts

Why They Should Care:

• Technological Innovation: The chatbot showcases the potential of AI and natural language processing (NLP) in providing meaningful and personalized support to users, pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve in the mental health space.
• Ethical AI Development: The project emphasizes the importance of creating ethical and inclusive AI solutions, serving as a model for future developments in the tech industry.
• Community Impact: Tech enthusiasts passionate about using technology for social good will find this project inspiring as it addresses pressing issues marginalized communities face.

6. Can I get buy-in from therapists and other mental health professionals?

The few I have approached with this project have been supportive, so? I am encouraged to move forward.

What now?

Starting from zero, I created a Bing Chat/Copilot GPT

??Proof of Concept - Copilot GPTs will be discontinued by July 14, 2024.

?Emmy - Custom Copilot GPT: I started with Microsoft Copilot because I was already paying the extra fee to integrate with O365. I wanted to see what was possible with absolutely no coding experience.

And ran right into a roadblock my testers brought to my attention

But it worked! The reasoning behind it and the tone used were friendly and encouraging. With this POC and guidance from Polly and Harsha Srivatsa , I started working on my CustomGPT.

To be continued …

Further Reading:

• Why imposter syndrome hits women and women of colour harder (bbc.com)
• Imposter Syndrome, Like the “Strong Black Woman” Trope, Hurts Us. by Katrina A. Gipson, MD, MPH - VISIBLE Magazine
• "BIPOC Women In Leadership: Redefining The Landscape" (forbes.com)
• Why impostor syndrome looks different in BIPOC (mic.com)
• Why There Is a Higher Rate of Imposter Syndrome in BIPOC — and Why We Need to Redefine It — Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT (robyntamanahatherapy.com)
• BIPOC Women and Imposter Syndrome: Are We Really Imposters? — Urban Institute of Mental Health (urbanmh.com)?
• Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome (hbr.org)
• Black Women Tech Leaders On Beating Back Impostor Syndrome And The Power Of A Career Pivot (msn.com)