To be elligble for prizes, you must join the Discord where you will get announcements, workshops, and updates

PeerBridge Mental Health Hacks 2025 — Revolutionizing Mental Health Support

Contact: peerbridge.org@gmail.com or Discord or Instagram

Website: peerbridge.org 

📅 Dates: November 8 – December 22
🌍 Location: Online (Discord for updates & collaboration) 

About the challenge

Welcome to PeerBridge Mental Health Hacks!

This international hackathon empowers youth (ages 15–25, high school and college students only) to use technology, empathy, and creativity to reimagine how we approach mental health across cultures. Your mission is to create innovative, tech-driven solutions that break stigma, foster connection, and make mental health support more accessible and inclusive.

Whether you’re a coder, designer, storyteller, or changemaker, this is your chance to make a real impact. Build something that helps people talk openly about mental well-being, learn about themselves, and support others — all while collaborating with a global network of passionate youth innovators.

Tracks

1. Tech for Empathy
Create tools that foster cross-cultural understanding, compassion, and meaningful human connection.
Example: AI chatbots that teach empathy, language-based reflection tools that translate emotional experiences.

2. Digital Safe Spaces
Design inclusive platforms that provide anonymous or guided peer support, journaling spaces, or virtual mental health communities.
Example: Moderated peer-to-peer sharing platforms or journaling sites with supportive prompts.

3. Cultural Stigma Breakers
Build campaigns or interactive apps that normalize mental health discussions in specific cultural contexts.
Example: Storytelling games that explore cultural myths around emotions, or awareness campaigns showcasing diverse journeys to healing.

4. Access to Mental Health Education
Develop accessible, educational tools that improve awareness, early detection, and healthy coping mechanisms.
Example: Games or learning apps teaching coping strategies, mental health literacy quizzes, or relaxation-technique simulators.

5. Other: Anything else mental health related!

Age Categories

1. Youth/High School: Ages 13-19
2. Adult/Post-Secondary: Ages 20-25

Get Started

To participate:

1. Register on this Devpost

2. Join Our Discord Server:
   Connect with fellow participants, find teammates, and get the latest updates about the hackathon.
   (All major announcements and mentorship opportunities will be shared here.)

3. Visit our website

4. Follow us on Instagram for updates!

Workshops

1. Workshop on December 7, 2025 at 8:30 AM (CST, UTC-6): How to make your project secure and tips on cyber security hosted by Pranitha Ramaswamy, one of our judges. She is a final year computer science engineering student and currently interning as a software developer intern at ALEgION.

Our partner Tech Innovators of America (https://www.techinnovatorsofamerica.org/) will be hosting 2 helpful workshops to help you learn essential software development skills! 

1. Date #1: Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM (CST, UTC-6) (45 mins) This workshop will focus on implementing AI API Keys to your code and training AI systems to perform specific tasks. Participants will learn how AI LLMs work, grasp online datasets and make useful projects with these resources. Great programming tips from experienced mentors will be shared and AI tools will be used to enhance your product workflow. 
2. Date #2: Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM (CST, UTC-6) (45 mins) This workshop will focus on practical implementation of AI features in your projects. It will teach you how to parse JSON data, utilize LLM response to its full potential, and how you will be able to build a robust frontend system connecting to backend API calls, and AI/ML services. Great programming tips from experienced mentors will be shared and AI tools will be used to enhance your product workflow.

These workshops are hosted by Tech Innovators of America (TIOA). TIOA is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to promoting tech and engineering through a national network of TIOA high-school chapters. TIOA provides curriculum, resources, funding, and mentorship to all chapters. Start a TIOA chapter today at techinnovatorsofamerica.org

To attend, you MUST join our Discord at https://discord.gg/9SuSxCjEuR and choose Hackathon in the onboarding questions to get the @Hackathon role so you don't miss these events!

• Innovation & Creativity
  1 – Unoriginal or familiar concept. 3 – Moderately unique with some creative ideas. 5 – Highly original, imaginative, and groundbreaking.
• Relevance to Mental Health & Track
  1 – Mental-health connection unclear. 3 – Addresses a relevant issue with some clarity. 5 – Deeply empathetic, culturally aware, and strongly impactful.
• Execution & Technical Quality
  1 – Very limited functionality or clarity. 3 – Functional prototype with solid core components. 5 – Polished, reliable, well-structured, and well-documented.
• Presentation & Communication
  1 – Confusing or incomplete. 3 – Understandable with minor clarity issues. 5 – Clear, engaging, and professionally communicated.
• Feasibility & Future Potential
  1 – Unlikely to work beyond concept. 3 – Feasible prototype with room to expand. 5 – Highly scalable with strong real-world potential.
• Extra Effort (Bonus Category)
  1 – Meets only the minimum requirements. 3 – Noticeable enhancements beyond expectations. 5 – Exceptional depth, polish, or interdisciplinary work.
• Timeframe Integrity (Rules Compliance)
  1 – Completed before the hackathon. 3 – Started early but significantly developed during event. 5 – Fully built within the hackathon timeframe.