Kids Help Phone - How I Built Canada's Largest Search Engine for Youth Mental Health Resources
Full-Stack Development, AI Integration, Mapping & Data Visualization
Project Overview
The Kids Help Phone - Resources Around Me (RAM) tool is Canada’s largest national platform designed to connect youth to trusted mental health and well-being resources. I built this tool from the ground up alongside my team at MEMOTEXT, creating a powerful, AI-powered search engine that allows users to find relevant resources based on location, keywords, and filters. Built using Vue.js and Laravel, the platform features an intuitive UI, advanced ElasticSearch-powered AI for results filtering, and real-time Google Maps integration to display resources dynamically. Deployed across AWS and Azure for scalability and security, the tool supports thousands of users daily and has become one of the most visited pages on the Kids Help Phone website. This project exemplifies my ability to design and deliver impactful technical solutions in the mental health space.
Key Accomplishments
Developed Canada’s largest national search engine for youth mental health resources, used by thousands daily.
Designed and implemented an AI-powered search engine with ElasticSearch, enabling highly accurate and relevant results.
Delivered a dynamic, real-time Google Maps integration to visually display search results and improve user accessibility.
Deployed the application on AWS and Azure to ensure scalability, high availability, and robust security for sensitive data.
Recognized as one of the most visited tools on the Kids Help Phone website, significantly enhancing their service offerings.
Technical Highlights
Developing the Resources Around Me (RAM) tool required robust technical solutions to meet the unique demands of a large-scale, user-focused mental health platform:
Scalable, Multi-Cloud Deployment
Deployed the application across AWS and Azure to ensure high availability, reliability, and regional redundancy. Leveraged AWS S3 for secure data storage, AWS Lambda for backend processing tasks like content updates, and Azure services for additional failover support.Efficient Data Management and Search Optimization
Built a backend system using ElasticSearch for advanced AI-powered vector search capabilities, ensuring fast and relevant results. This system supported a large database of over 40,000 records, with robust filtering options for location, keywords, and user-defined criteria.Real-Time and Interactive Components
Integrated real-time features such as dynamic Google Maps with Vue.js to improve user interaction. This required advanced handling of live data and optimized API calls for seamless map updates.Secure and Compliant Architecture
Designed a secure backend with Laravel, implementing data encryption and compliance measures to handle sensitive user information responsibly. Analytics tracking was integrated for monitoring user behavior and providing actionable insights.
Features and Innovations
The Resources Around Me (RAM) tool introduced user-friendly innovations designed to improve accessibility and empower youth to find critical resources:
AI-Powered Search Functionality
Provided users with a fast, intuitive way to discover mental health resources tailored to their needs. Filters for location, resource type, and other criteria made searching highly effective.Interactive Resource Visualization
Delivered a Google Maps-based interface that visually represents resource locations, allowing users to navigate and plan more effectively for in-person visits.Bookmarking and Sharing
Enabled users to save and share resources, making it easier to revisit or recommend services to others.Extended Accessibility Through Partner Integration
Developed an iframe compatibility feature, allowing the tool to be embedded in partner websites, increasing its reach and usability.Inclusive and Responsive Design
Created a modern, mobile-friendly UI/UX with Vue.js, ensuring accessibility for users of all ages and devices, while maintaining a polished, intuitive interface.
What I Learned
Building the Resources Around Me (RAM) tool provided valuable lessons and deepened my expertise in developing impactful technical solutions:
Designing for Accessibility and Scale
Working on a national platform serving thousands of users taught me the importance of creating an intuitive, responsive UI and a scalable backend architecture to meet high traffic demands.Leveraging AI for Real-World Impact
Implementing ElasticSearch and AI-powered features highlighted the transformative power of AI in improving search relevance and enhancing user experience in mission-critical applications.Collaboration with High-Profile Stakeholders
Coordinating with Kids Help Phone and its partners emphasized the importance of clear communication, adaptability, and stakeholder alignment when delivering complex projects.Deploying Across Multi-Cloud Environments
Managing deployments on both AWS and Azure reinforced my skills in multi-cloud strategies, ensuring redundancy, security, and performance for large-scale applications.
These takeaways reflect the technical, collaborative, and strategic growth I gained from leading this impactful project.
