Ali the Virtual Assistant vs SecurApp

Meet Ali, a robot designed specifically for college students! Ali is here to help you by providing the tools you need to succeed. Ask questions about your college, and Ali will provide answers to the best of its knowledge. Connect directly with your college's support services (psychosocial support, academic advisors, student coordinators, guidance counsellors, and more) using the Ali app. Not sure who to contact? Just tell Ali what you need, and it'll guide you to the right service. Express your concerns to receive tailored advice written entirely by mental health and education professionals, all through the Ali app. Your conversations with Ali are confidential and secure, making it your trusted ally throughout your college experience! If you'd like to use Ali, but your institution doesn't offer the app yet, don't hesitate to make a request to student services.

When a crisis occurs, every minute counts. Therefore, that is precisely why we must be prepared. Our advice? Do not wait for a crisis before organizing a safety plan. Now, how? This is where the solution of SecurApp comes in. This customized application provides the user with a powerful tool that represents an insurance policy that protects him. First, SecurApp identifies the warning signs of an imminent crisis and helps to target personal strategies to deal with the situation. Second, SecurApp gives access to the best educational resources to help the user. Third, SecurApp allows to identifiy the people the user wants to call when distraction or support are needed. Finally, SecurApp offers two distress buttons, one to reach its main mental health counselor, the other to reach 911. SecurApp is an easy tool to prevent a crisis. SecurApp was created and validated scientifically by Professor Réal Labelle, Ph. D. and his team from the Research Center of Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal), the Center for Research and Intervention on Suicide, Ethical Issues and End-of-Life Practices (CRISE) and the Université du Québec à Montreal.