This Pennsylvania Teen’s ‘InnerEcho’ Supports Youth Mental Health

November 18, 2024
My name is Quinn O’Donnell, and I’m a senior at Wilson High School with a passion for using technology to empower mental health. I created InnerEcho, an app designed to support people in their mental health journeys through a privacy-focused, seamless journaling experience. As part of my high school’s JROTC Cybersecurity program, I also mentor younger students, helping them develop their skills in cybersecurity and technology. My goal with InnerEcho is to make a positive impact by giving people the tools they need to reflect on their emotions and improve their well-being, all while keeping their privacy a top priority. Proceeds of the app will be reinvested to make it as helpful as it can be.
This story took place in USA

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For the past year, I’ve been working tirelessly on developing InnerEcho, an app designed to support mental well-being through a seamless and private journaling experience. My journey began with a simple realization: the world is experiencing a mental health crisis, and many people, especially teens and young adults, feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures. Whether it’s school, relationships, or the complexities of our digital lives, managing mental health has become increasingly difficult for so many people, myself included.

From early on, I’ve been passionate about technology, but I wanted to do more than just code. I wanted to create something that would make a difference, something that could genuinely help people navigate their emotions and improve their overall well-being. As I dug deeper into mental health research, I realized that one of the most effective ways to process emotions is through journaling—writing things down, reflecting, and taking time to check in with ourselves. This idea became the core of InnerEcho, but I didn’t want it to be just another journaling app. I wanted it to be a tool that provides real insights, guidance, and a sense of security.

Mental health has always been a sensitive issue, and privacy is a critical concern for many people. That’s why InnerEcho is designed with privacy at its heart. All data is either stored locally on the device or securely synced through Apple’s CloudKit, ensuring that users’ personal information remains safe and out of reach. The app never requires a login, and all entries are anonymized before any processing. This level of security allows users to be open and honest about their feelings without the fear of their private thoughts being compromised.

One of the key features of InnerEcho is the Check-In system, where users are encouraged to check in twice daily—once in the morning and once in the evening. These check-ins help users reflect on their sleep quality, energy levels, emotions, and overall feelings, helping them gain clarity on their mental state. The app uses a simple rating scale, allowing users to track their emotions and reasons behind those emotions in a way that feels personal and intuitive. AI-powered insights then analyze these entries, offering suggestions and tips for improving mood and setting actionable goals.

Additionally, the app includes a Quotes view, which provides inspiration and encouragement through a curated collection of quotes that users can save and revisit whenever they need a boost. InnerEcho also features statistics and graphing tools that allow users to visualize their mood patterns over time, helping them identify trends and work toward positive changes. These insights, combined with a guided journaling system that offers nine categories with reflection prompts, help users feel supported on their mental health journey.

At the heart of InnerEcho is the belief that everyone deserves a space to reflect, grow, and improve their mental well-being. The app is more than a tool—it’s a personal companion for anyone looking to manage their emotions, achieve their goals, and ultimately create a more balanced and fulfilled life. My vision for InnerEcho is to continue growing its reach, helping people feel more connected to themselves and their mental health in a meaningful, secure way.

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