FirstRead / Why this project
Why build a mental health companion?
A concern about access in Singapore led us to a technical question about safety.
An easier place to start talking.
The cost of ongoing therapy made us ask whether a more accessible companion could offer everyday support and help people reach human care.
Psychological first aid informed the aim: humane, practical support, with a clear boundary around diagnosis and therapy.
- 01
Companionship brings responsibility
We need to check both emerging risk in the conversation and the companion’s own replies.
- 02
Checks have to keep up
Our concern was the latency of asking a general-purpose LLM to judge every turn.
- 03
Jev made this worth testing
A user check took 0.50s median in our run, making frequent checks a practical experiment.
Can we check for risk and unsafe replies on every turn, before delivery?
An exploratory safety layer, not a therapy service or validated crisis detector. Singapore has subsidised care; costs vary. Context: MOH: affordability (opens in a new tab) · WHO: psychological first aid (opens in a new tab).