Ataraxia

Try the Prototype here--> https://www.figma.com/file/H2q9wEdfjF7WJnVVXuvaY1/Mental-health?type=design&node-id=38%3A16431&mode=design&t=sQJb6Q34sLBYKs5z-1 

Ataraxia is a mental health support app designed and created for people who face mental health issues like stress, anxiety and panic attacks. The proposed design links with a wearable device, like a smartwatch to give real-time support to the user. The idea of linking the data monitored from the wearable device will help the app keep track of sleep cycles, heart rate variability, fitness data, breathing patterns and stress levels. This data can potentially be used to personalize the user experience from person to person. Pattern recognition can help the user, by notifying the onset of such events. Also, in extreme scenarios can help users connect to a trusted individual effortlessly. Another potential feature in this application design would be using AI as a chat feature.

Introduction

70% of adults worldwide face mental health problems [1], people studying in universities, part-time workers, full-time working professionals and even homemakers. Mental health also has an impact on the person's physical health. But people can lead a normal healthy life if they get appropriate support [2]. Stress, anxiety and panic attacks most commonly appear due to workload, study material, exams, relationships, commitments and so on in adult life. It then affects the person’s routine, sleep cycle, eating habits finally their health. This application along with a potential smartwatch app can help the users in time and appropriately. The health data the smart watch gathers can potentially be shared with the application to personalize suggestions to the users. Tracking heart rate and stress patterns can recognize oncoming episodes. The use of AI, specifically machine learning uses pattern recognition and algorithms to give appropriate feedback [3]. This app design explores potential features like a sleep tracker, stress monitor, mood tracker, and heart rate monitor to collect and analyse the user's data to suggest appropriate suggestions. The breathing exercise feature guides users to take slow breaths to calm down in a stressful or anxious situation. More such features like calming videos, guided meditation and community forums are there to help users help themselves.

Background Research

According to the research conducted by K. Saoane Thach [5], the intention of using the app was divided into two parts. Firstly according to the issues that people face and secondly the purpose to use the app. As per the data collected it is prominent that significantly more people used mental health apps to address issues like anxiety, stress and depression. And the purpose of using such app was to track mood at most, then complementing traditional therapy and self-caring. The factors that negatively affect the app was usability issues, poor aesthetics, and navigation issues.

AI bot

Natural Language Processing (NPL) is a branch of AI. This process can help with emotion detection, sentiment analysis and more [5]. These AI driven treatments will share highly personalized data over sometime. Chat bots may not provide similar experience as in person counselling, it can still be useful for people who cannot approach an actual therapist [7].

Smartwatches

A wearable smart device can track stress levels on the basis of Heart rate variability. Tracking these levels can help user be calm and mentally healthy [8]. These smartwatches can provide immediate feedback to the user so that they become more aware of their triggers and responses [10]. Certain smart watches also already have features like breathing exercises, sleep tracking, and blood oxygen levels.

Mindfulness Meditation videos

There is significant difference in traditional meditation and mobile mindfulness meditation (MMM). The positive effects in the study included reduction of stress, alleviated anxiety and in general well-being [9].

Approach

The approach to this app started from defining long term goals, the ideal solution for the users. The main goal is to help users manage stress, anxiety and panic attacks independently if required. To track user’s data and personalize the suggestion according to the machine learning analysis. The double diamond process was used to design and plan the app. It has 4 sections Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver. This process widely accepted and adaptable, as it is not strictly linear, it is a more flexible framework. It also encourages both divergent and convergent thinking at different stages. In the first diamond- discover, I thought broadly about the problem statements and how to solve them, which later was narrowed down in the define stage. In the third stage- design, information architecture and low fidelity wireframe sketches were created. Then at the final Deliver stage the designs were refined and an usability test was conducted.

Problems

How Might We

After the problems were defined, the next step was to conduct a HMW to brainstorm ideas and solutions for the given problems. The process included a few columns of questions as follows- How might we, who, what, when and where, why does it happen and why to solve it.

How Now Wow Matrix

This method helped me understand the effectiveness of features and then prioritize them into the 4 quadrants. Dividing them up meaning- How- the design is easy, not the implementation Now- design and implementation is easy Wow- design is original but difficult to implement.

Personas

Two personas were created to keep user in mind while moving ahead with the designs. It helped create empathy with the characters and likewise create a design more appealing.

Mind map

This activity helps organize information on a spread out format visually, all ideas connect to a central theme. In this case it is the app, with smaller branches and sub branches building on. Ultimately it helps structure the features of the app in a organized format.

User Survey

I conducted a feature based survey, to get more information and validation of the features that I had thought of so far. The survey got 43 responses, with 22 participants experiencing anxiety, stress or panic attacks and 21 do not regularly. Stress being the most common issue followed by anxiety and then panic attacks. The survey was shared as an online form and followed all ethical guidelines. Participants were given information sheet to go through and then individual consent was taken.

Information Architecture

I have simplified the structure of my app design into a clear spread. It is a complete site map of the application, that shows how everything is connected.

Low fidelity sketches

Low fidelity sketches on paper are created to focus on the functionalities of the application rather than the design. It should priorities user needs more than the aesthetics. This method helped drafting out layouts in no time and refining errors along the way. This method saved a lot of time and let me explore early on.

High fidelity wireframing and prototyping

High fidelity prototype can give users the most realistic user experience. This version resembles the final look and feel including all design elements. Once all information is added to the design, it is easier to identify what is not working with the design. May it be lack of contrast or font visibility issue.

Usability testing

Usability testing conducted on the final high fidelity design. Participants who live close by were recruited to get proper evaluation as required. Total 7 participants took part, in which participants thought the design was aesthetically pleasing.

Evaluation

Following the above process helped me identify some places where there is a gap created between the gathered data and my design. Reflecting on that I should have been more careful about the issues and update things there and then.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the app has a lot of scope for features and functionalities. Hence, a deeper understanding of user needs is required to create a useful product.

Future Scope

Next phase would cover all the static features mentioned in this phase. In the future, seamless data transfer and permission, to analyze biometric data on the app can be managed. This will help in personalizing the app through Machine learning and can properly analyze user data and respond according to your behavior. Another possibility is of gamification and reward system in the application design for users to be consistent.

Project links

Figma Prototype-

https://www.figma.com/file/H2q9wEdfjF7WJnVVXuvaY1/Mental-health?type=design&node-id=38%3A16431&mode=design&t=sQJb6Q34sLBYKs5z-1 

Miro board-

https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVNpNtBVI=/?share_link_id=232387759517 

Feature based survey-

https://forms.office.com/Pages/AnalysisPage.aspx?AnalyzerToken=XVoUjj5RrjzZreEsNeNxbdpbKoU86Gwc&id=gpn262sDxEyyAnrrGUxQZUdvYYHB5r5LucD1sv42K55UODM5SDYzSUNKUERBMExPOVhKNUhGMFVOSi4u 

Usability survey-

https://forms.office.com/Pages/AnalysisPage.aspx?AnalyzerToken=t7muRvWPIlYUxKjeYzo55gGBmXxmEYuy&id=gpn262sDxEyyAnrrGUxQZUdvYYHB5r5LucD1sv42K55URUFTRUYzT0dLRTBDUUhKRTFORlc1TDlYSy4u