A small project with a simple idea: sometimes, a message from someone you don't know can make a difficult day feel a little lighter.
Great Message is a personal project that is still in its very early stages of development.
The idea behind it is to create a safe and simple space where people going through a difficult period can write down their thoughts and leave them somewhere without having to share their identity or expose themselves publicly.
At the same time, other people will have the opportunity to leave positive, supportive messages for someone they will probably never meet.
The goal is simple: to remind people that difficult moments do not necessarily mean that everything is lost.
The final concept, features and technical implementation are still being explored, so this README will evolve together with the project.
There are three main reasons behind the creation of Great Message:
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Mental health awareness. The project is being developed around the International Suicide Prevention and mental health awareness period, which made me reflect on how small actions and human connection can sometimes make a difference.
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A personal learning project. I wanted to build something with a meaningful purpose that would also challenge me technically. Great Message provides a good foundation for experimenting, learning new technologies and putting my existing software engineering knowledge into practice.
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A personal motivation. This project also comes from a more personal place. Sometimes, wanting to build something is simply a consequence of understanding why something like it could be valuable.
🚧 Very early development — concept stage
The project has only recently started, and many aspects are still undefined.
At the moment, I am mainly working on:
- Defining the core concept.
- Exploring the possible user experience.
- Identifying the main features.
- Designing the application's architecture.
- Choosing the technologies and tools to use.
- Experimenting and learning through implementation.
Nothing is considered final yet. The project may change considerably as development progresses.
The current idea revolves around two simple interactions:
A person going through a difficult moment can write down what they are feeling or thinking.
The idea is not necessarily to receive an immediate response, but to have a place where those thoughts can simply exist without judgement.
Another person can write a positive or supportive message intended for someone who may be going through a difficult time.
The message would not necessarily be addressed to a specific person. Instead, it could eventually reach someone who happens to need those words.
The intention is to create a simple connection between someone who needs to express something and someone who has something kind to say.
Great Message is currently a personal software development project, not a professional mental health service.
The project is still experimental, and its final functionality, privacy model, moderation system and safety measures have not yet been defined.
Any future implementation involving real users and sensitive personal content would require careful consideration of privacy, security, moderation and user safety.
The technology stack has not been completely decided yet.
This section will be updated as the project takes shape.
Planned / Experimental:
- Frontend: React
- Backend: TypeScript
- Database: TBD
- Deployment: TBD
The roadmap is intentionally flexible while the concept is being developed.
- Define the initial idea
- Define the core user experience
- Define the first MVP
- Choose the technology stack
- Design the application
- Implement the first prototype
- Test the concept
- Review privacy and security requirements
- Iterate based on what is learned
This project is intended as an experiment in software development and as an exploration of how technology can facilitate small acts of human connection.
It is not a substitute for professional mental health care or emergency support.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact the appropriate emergency or crisis service in your country.
Great Message is just getting started.
The idea may change. The technology may change. The project may even become something completely different.
For now, the goal is simply to start building.