The Challenge of Affective Computing on Emotional Support Platforms

In the foreground of the Covid-19 pandemic, the masses are constantly being informed about the physical effects of the infection and measures to take to prevent contracting the virus. However, in the background lies a darker statistic, where the pandemic’s impact on mental health creates a gap, that if unresolved will lead to adverse consequences. Our research looks at identifying and addressing the various pain points experienced at a Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) in Singapore, namely the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), a non-religious and not for profit organization focusing on crisis intervention and suicide prevention. We look at implementing todays state-of-the –art technology and evaluate its efficacy within the problem space. Lastly, we discuss the limitation of affective computing and future considerations for building effective affective technology for emotional support platforms.