Description

Step into a realm where technology meets mental wellness, where innovation intertwines with empathy, and where collaboration fuels transformative change. Welcome to our Mental Health Hackathon, an immersive experience designed for tech enthusiasts, mental health advocates, and anyone passionate about leveraging technology to enhance well-being.

Join us for a day of exploration, creativity, and meaningful connections as we delve into the intersection of technology and mental health support. Whether you're a seasoned developer, a visionary designer, a dedicated mental health practitioner, or simply someone with a keen interest in making a difference, this event is your platform to shine.

Why Join?

1. Innovative Solutions: Explore groundbreaking tech solutions aimed at enhancing mental wellness. Engage with leading experts and innovators to discover cutting-edge approaches in mental health technology.
2. Collaborative Environment: Join a vibrant community of techies. Collaborate with like-minded individuals to develop innovative solutions and contribute to the advancement of mental health support systems.
3. Knowledge Exchange: Exchange insights, best practices, and experiences with industry leaders and peers. Gain valuable knowledge about the latest trends, tools, and methodologies shaping the future of mental health tech.
4. Impactful Contributions: Make a meaningful impact by contributing your expertise and ideas to the development of tech solutions that can positively impact mental wellness. Whether you're a developer, designer, researcher, or advocate, your contributions are valued and can help drive positive change.
5. Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse range of professionals and stakeholders in the mental health and tech sectors. Build valuable connections, expand your network, and explore potential collaborations that can drive your career or organization forward.
6. Empowerment and Support: Join a supportive community dedicated to prioritizing growth and fostering inclusivity. Take part in open discussions, share your experiences, and receive support from peers.
7. Personal Growth: Challenge yourself to think creatively, problem-solve, and innovate in a dynamic and supportive environment. Enhance your skills, broaden your perspectives, and leave inspired to continue making a difference in the tech ecosystem.

Key Focus Areas

• Leveraging technology for mental wellness initiatives

• Exploring the intersection of technology in mental health support

• Fostering collaboration and innovation in mental health tech solutions

• Promoting open dialogue and knowledge exchange in the mental health community

Target Attendees

• Tech professionals passionate about mental health advocacy

• Mental health practitioners seeking innovative tech solutions

• Researchers and academics interested in the intersection of technology and mental wellness

• Advocates and activists working to improve mental health support systems

• Individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges

• Organizations and startups developing mental health tech solutions

All developers, from all fields, are welcome for the hackathon.

What to Expect as an Attendee

• Cutting-Edge Tools and Technologies: Gain access to Africa's Talking APIs and SDKs, specifically designed to streamline implementation and ensure a seamless experience.
• Mentorship and Guidance: Collaborate closely with seasoned experts from Africa's Talking, who will serve as mentors throughout the hackathon. Benefit from their guidance, insights, and support as we build together.
• Expand Your Network: As a member of our community, you'll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and industry professionals. Build valuable relationships that can propel your career or projects to new heights.
• Exciting Rewards and Recognition: Get a chance to win cash prizes and earn recognition for your innovative solutions. Get to receive accolades for your contributions through our social media, potential collaborators and other platforms.
• Qualify for the Marketplace Program: By participating in the hackathon, you become eligible to join our exclusive Marketplace Program. Unlock opportunities to further develop and monetize your solutions, making a lasting impact on Africa's economic growth and development.
• Exposure to other women in tech opportunities.

Solution Criteria

• Use of Africa's Talking APIs: How effectively the project utilizes one or more of the Africa's Talking APIs i.e. SMS, USSD, Airtime, Voice.

• Innovation: The originality and creativity of the project idea and implementation.

• User Experience: How well the project meets user needs and provides an intuitive and seamless experience.

• Functionality: How well the project performs the intended functionality and handles errors and edge cases.

• Presentation: The clarity and effectiveness of the project demonstration and pitch i.e Problem, Solution and demo.

New to Africa's Talking? Get started here.

Developer Documentation (Give us your feedback)

Contribute to open-source.

THEME: Mental Health Solutions

The winning solution will receive cash prizes as follows:

• Winner - $100
• 1st Runners Up - $50
• 2nd Runners Up - $25

Social Media Give Aways!

• Tweet: #Africastalking#BuildwithAT #WeloveNerds #ATWIT
  

Agenda:

1. Introductions

2. Overview

• Technical hands-on session

3. Ideation

• Form teams where need be.

• Feedback

4. Building/hacking: Code in GitHub/GitLab/BitBucket and deploy in Docker/Automated CI/Travis CI/Bamboo

5. Demonstration and Wrap-up

• Teams or individuals will demonstrate what they have hacked for feedback or adoption.

Note: Carry a laptop

Opportunities:

• Network
• Innovate
• Access to our Talent bench (You can get a job or a gig on the spot)

Submit your Idea: here

Join our community channels:

• Join Africa's Talking Women In Tech Community here
• Twitter (X): here

Africa's Talking powers communications solutions across Africa with simplified access to telco infrastructure, developers use our powerful SMS, USSD, Voice, Airtime and Data to bring their ideas to life, as they build and sustain scalable businesses.

Africa's Talking community allows developers to learn skills for the modern-day African Developer. We are language and framework agnostic. All developers are welcome. This is where Africa's Talking developers community meets to build, learn and exchange knowledge.

We are helping software developers and businesses to bring their ideas to life through easy-to-use APIs quickly.

Everyone is welcome!

Transport:

• We will provide transport to and from Jeevanjee Garden.