IN CONVERSATION WITH KHABO MASANABO(spokesperson from Shout it)
Loading player...
Nine out of ten young people in South Africa lack access to critical mental health services, leaving them vulnerable to stress, anxiety, and trauma. Research from the Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town shows that many youth navigate mental health challenges — including anxiety, depression, academic pressure, and abuse — on their own, amid a severe shortage of mental health practitioners in the country.
One innovative solution helping to bridge this gap is AIMEE (AI & Me), an AI-powered chatbot launched in March 2025. The 24/7 service provides reproductive health support and a safe, confidential space for young women and girls to discuss their concerns, with the option to connect to a live nurse if needed. Developed by Audere Africa in partnership with South African NGO Shout-It-Now, AIMEE combines advanced AI technology with on-the-ground public health expertise.
Since its launch, AIMEE has facilitated over fifteen thousand (15,000) conversations. Nearly half of these are in-depth repeat interactions, covering topics such as abuse, family conflict, gender-based violence, school stress, sexual health, bullying, break-ups, and employment worries.
A Safe and Confidential Space
Targeting young females aged sixteen to twenty-four (16–24), AIMEE offers interactions like the following:
AIMEE: “Hi Nomsa, how are you feeling today?”
User: “I’ve been feeling low and it won’t go away.”
AIMEE: “I’m sorry you’re feeling this way, Nomsa. It sounds tough, and I’m here to listen. What’s been going on lately, if you feel like sharing?”
Dr Ntombifikile Mtshali, CEO of Shout-It-Now, notes that mental health remains the most engaged topic on AIMEE, reflecting both trust in the platform and urgent demand for support. Even chats that begin with sexual health often evolve into broader discussions about emotional and mental well-being, showing the interconnected nature of these issues.
AIMEE’s Impact
Recent data show that thirty-two percent (32%) of users return after thirty days, and for those receiving mental health support in their first conversation, nearly sixty percent (60%) come back for follow-up advice. Topics include body image, sleep issues, depression, anxiety, school pressures, relationships, and finances.
Nearly thirty percent (30%) of messages arrive after clinic hours, often involving crisis situations such as unplanned pregnancies, potential HIV exposure, and thoughts of self-harm. AIMEE provides critical after-hours support, when traditional clinics are closed and access to nurses is limited.
Many young users report feeling more comfortable speaking with AIMEE than with live nurses, due to confidentiality and judgement-free interaction. AIMEE is designed to escalate to human support when necessary, seamlessly linking users to live nurses for issues such as PrEP, HIV testing, or emergency contraception.
Looking Ahead: Self-Cav
In November 2025, AIMEE will transition to Self-Cav, a broader AI-driven self-care platform accessible to youth of all ages and genders across South Africa. Self-Cav will include multilingual chat support and additional features, expanding access to mental and sexual health services. The platform will continue to offer AIMEE’s safe, confidential AI companion while introducing new personas, including a male friend and a health buddy, to ensure inclusivity.
Dr Mtshali emphasizes that, unlike many digital health tools that remain in pilot stages, AIMEE users will be seamlessly transitioned to Self-Cav, retaining their history and ongoing support.
One innovative solution helping to bridge this gap is AIMEE (AI & Me), an AI-powered chatbot launched in March 2025. The 24/7 service provides reproductive health support and a safe, confidential space for young women and girls to discuss their concerns, with the option to connect to a live nurse if needed. Developed by Audere Africa in partnership with South African NGO Shout-It-Now, AIMEE combines advanced AI technology with on-the-ground public health expertise.
Since its launch, AIMEE has facilitated over fifteen thousand (15,000) conversations. Nearly half of these are in-depth repeat interactions, covering topics such as abuse, family conflict, gender-based violence, school stress, sexual health, bullying, break-ups, and employment worries.
A Safe and Confidential Space
Targeting young females aged sixteen to twenty-four (16–24), AIMEE offers interactions like the following:
AIMEE: “Hi Nomsa, how are you feeling today?”
User: “I’ve been feeling low and it won’t go away.”
AIMEE: “I’m sorry you’re feeling this way, Nomsa. It sounds tough, and I’m here to listen. What’s been going on lately, if you feel like sharing?”
Dr Ntombifikile Mtshali, CEO of Shout-It-Now, notes that mental health remains the most engaged topic on AIMEE, reflecting both trust in the platform and urgent demand for support. Even chats that begin with sexual health often evolve into broader discussions about emotional and mental well-being, showing the interconnected nature of these issues.
AIMEE’s Impact
Recent data show that thirty-two percent (32%) of users return after thirty days, and for those receiving mental health support in their first conversation, nearly sixty percent (60%) come back for follow-up advice. Topics include body image, sleep issues, depression, anxiety, school pressures, relationships, and finances.
Nearly thirty percent (30%) of messages arrive after clinic hours, often involving crisis situations such as unplanned pregnancies, potential HIV exposure, and thoughts of self-harm. AIMEE provides critical after-hours support, when traditional clinics are closed and access to nurses is limited.
Many young users report feeling more comfortable speaking with AIMEE than with live nurses, due to confidentiality and judgement-free interaction. AIMEE is designed to escalate to human support when necessary, seamlessly linking users to live nurses for issues such as PrEP, HIV testing, or emergency contraception.
Looking Ahead: Self-Cav
In November 2025, AIMEE will transition to Self-Cav, a broader AI-driven self-care platform accessible to youth of all ages and genders across South Africa. Self-Cav will include multilingual chat support and additional features, expanding access to mental and sexual health services. The platform will continue to offer AIMEE’s safe, confidential AI companion while introducing new personas, including a male friend and a health buddy, to ensure inclusivity.
Dr Mtshali emphasizes that, unlike many digital health tools that remain in pilot stages, AIMEE users will be seamlessly transitioned to Self-Cav, retaining their history and ongoing support.
