DEV Community: Andriy Rukhlyadko

How I Built a Mental Health App Grounded in Real Psychology (Not Just Vibes)

Andriy Rukhlyadko — Fri, 15 May 2026 23:28:53 +0000

[Most mental health apps feel generic. Calming music, breathing exercises, maybe a mood tracker. I wanted something different — an app where the AI actually understands why you feel the way you feel, not just that you do.
So I built Mental Detox — an AI-powered emotional journal with three specialized assistants: anxiety, daily stress, and sleep. Here's what I learned.
The Psychology Stack
Before writing a single line of code, I mapped out the evidence base:

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) — identifying and reframing distorted thoughts
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) — emotional regulation and distress tolerance
Pennebaker's Expressive Writing — 40+ years of research showing that structured journaling reduces cortisol and improves psychological wellbeing
Stanley & Brown Safety Planning — crisis protocol, not just a hotline number
Cognitive Shuffle (Dr. Luc Beaudoin) — a science-backed technique to fall asleep faster by disrupting pre-sleep rumination

Each AI assistant module is built around these frameworks, not around "feeling good."
The Tech Stack

Frontend: React + Vite + Capacitor (iOS & Android from one codebase)
Backend: Node.js + Express on Render
Database: Firebase Firestore
AI: GPT-4o as the conversational core
Subscriptions: RevenueCat
Languages supported: English, Ukrainian, French, German, Spanish, Japanese

The Hardest Part
Not the code. The prompts.
Writing a system prompt that handles a user in crisis, switches languages mid-conversation, applies the right psychological technique for the right moment, and still feels like a warm human — that took months of iteration.
The crisis protocol alone went through a dozen rewrites. It now includes verified hotlines for Canada, USA, and Ukraine, with logic that activates only when genuinely needed — not at the first mention of feeling "stressed."
What I'd Do Differently
Ship faster and talk to users earlier. I spent too long perfecting features nobody asked for. The burnout test page I built as a static SEO landing page outside the React SPA? That came from actually listening to what people searched for.
Where It Stands Now
Mental Detox is live on iOS, Android, and web. Active users, zero paid subscriptions so far — which is the honest reality of early-stage consumer apps.
If you're building in the mental health space or want to talk about AI prompt architecture for sensitive use cases, I'm happy to connect.
](https://mental-detox.app)

Looking for Android beta testers for Mental Detox - AI emotion journal

Andriy Rukhlyadko — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:55:12 +0000

Hey Dev community,

I'm a solo developer building Mental Detox — an AI-powered emotion journal for Android. I'm currently in closed testing phase on Google Play and need beta testers.

What you get:

1 month free premium access (promo code FREEMAY26)
Early access to the app

How to join:

Join Google Group: https://groups.google.com/g/mental-detox-testers
Install via Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mental.detox
Keep the app for 14+ days

How to use the promo code:

Open the app and go to the payment page from the main screen
Select monthly subscription
On the Stripe payment page enter code FREEMAY26
Apply the code and confirm — no charge will be made

More about the app: https://www.mental-detox.app/publications

Questions? Comment below or email andriy.rukhlyadko@gmail.com

Thanks! 🙏

Mental Detox: AI-journaling for anxiety, stress, and self-reflection

Andriy Rukhlyadko — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 23:52:40 +0000

Hi DEV community! I'm Andriy, a software developer building Mental Detox.

I built this project to bridge the gap between therapy sessions. People often face anxiety, panic attacks, or sleepless nights when their therapist is unavailable. Mental Detox is an AI journaling tool designed to provide 24/7 psychological self-support.

🧠 Not a replacement, but a companion

The goal is to provide a reliable tool for:

Reducing anxiety in real-time.
Processing difficult emotions through structured journaling.
Improving sleep quality after high-stress days.

📄 Scientific Transparency (The Technical Report)

I believe AI in mental health must be transparent. I've prepared a detailed technical report outlining the 17 evidence-based techniques (CBT, ACT, DBT, mindfulness) integrated into the AI's logic.

I am looking for honest professional feedback from psychologists and developers.

Read the Full Evidence-Based Report (English, PDF) →

🛠️ Free Professional Assessments

I've integrated standard clinical tests to help users monitor their state:

Beck Anxiety Inventory: https://mental-detox.app/beck-anxiety-test/
Burnout Test (MBI): https://mental-detox.app/burnout-test/
Sleep Quality Test: https://mental-detox.app/sleep-test/