Overview
Daily tasks and deadlines can cause tension, which can make you feel pressured and overwhelmed. Everyone has gone through this at some time in their lives; some people feel exhausted while others become agitated. We might even experience it all the time and not even be aware of it.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1 in 4 people will experience mental health issues at some point. Anxiety disorders, in particular, are prevalent, affecting an estimated 275 million people globally.
In this study case, we created a digital solution for the National Wellness Institute to assist mental health professionals in providing better patient care.
In this case study, we have done the following:
User research, conducted interviews, created a user persona and the customer journey to understand the behavior of our users, and created a Site map. User flows, designing low-fidelity, and high-fidelity interfaces, branding, prototyping the interaction with Figma, Concepting testing, and conducting the usability test.
Time Frame: 2 weeks
Role: Product designer, Product Strategy, User Research, Interaction, Visual design, Prototyping & Testing, Information Architecture
Mentor: Bruno Pavani
Team: Alessandro Almeida, Aline Ezzeddine, Alander de Ávila and Daniela Teixeira,
The client
The National Wellness Institute (NWI) is a non-profit organization that promotes the importance of overall well-being through education, advocacy, and research. NWI offers resources and support to individuals and organizations in various fields, such as healthcare, education, and workplace wellness, to help them achieve optimal health and wellness. The organization was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. NWI is dedicated to advancing the understanding and practice of wellness principles and is committed to promoting a culture of wellness for all.
Our goal
We aim to design a user-friendly digital solution that facilitates communication between therapists and patients while providing an enjoyable platform for patients to connect with themselves and follow their therapist's guidance.
Research
In Brazil, anxiety affects 9.3% of the population; women are more likely than males to experience it. However, only 18% of those with mental health issues seek expert assistance, as they continue to be stigmatized. Lack of knowledge and education, restricted access to mental health resources, and cultural beliefs are all blamed for this problem. The situation has gotten worse as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many people reporting higher levels of worry and anxiety as a result. Prioritizing access to mental health services and resources, eradicating the stigma associated with mental health issues, and advancing knowledge and education about mental health are all critical.
We focused on the emotional aspect of wellness due to Brazil's high anxiety rates, with 9.3% of Brazilians (18.6 million) suffering from anxiety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, depression and anxiety increased by 25% globally, with 49% of Brazilians concerned about mental health. The global health and wellness app market will be worth US$1.6 billion in 2021. Poor mental health costs the world economy US$2.5 trillion annually, projected to increase to US$6 trillion by 2030, and people with severe mental illness typically live 10 to 20 years less than the average lifespan.
Sources:
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/technology/technology-media-and-telecom-predictions/2022/mental-health-app-market.html
Organização Pan-americana de Saúde
World Health Organization
Survey
As per the scope of the survey, we have collected the relevant data and would like to present the following findings. The collected data provides insight into our research questions and helps us understand the problem statement better.
· 93% of respondents had experienced anxiety.
· 48% sought therapy.
· 65% engaged in mental health exercises.
· 42% practice meditation.
· 80% desire a more structured routine.
Interviews
Interviewees mentioned that many of them suffered or yet suffer with:
· Mental health problems.
· Toxic relationships.
· Work pressure
· Struggle to comprehend their mission
· Anxiety and insomnia
We discovered that our users, who were asked about their anxiety coping strategies, used or had used therapy. They use yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, reading, calming music, self-care routines, and journaling to control their anxiety.
To deepen our investigation, we went to talk with a few specialists and therapists.
Summarising key learning from those interviews:
We discussed a range of subjects with therapists during our interviews, including tailored therapeutic tactics, the importance of self-care and technology in mental health, and methods for dealing with prevalent problems like anxiety and burnout. The clinicians suggested resignification, transpersonal psychology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, meditation, dance, and other therapeutic approaches. They also emphasized the importance of living daily with a sense of spirituality and personal meaning. Technology can be a helpful instrument, but rather than harming mental health, it should be used to promote it. The therapists emphasized the value of routine, organization, and good habits in fostering mental health and promoted self-evaluation.
Summary
We conclude that a large proportion of the population in Brazil suffers from anxiety, a widespread problem. Worry and anxiety have grown due to the situation's further aggravation by the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the poll and the interviews show how crucial it is to use self-care, mindfulness, and meditation as coping mechanisms in addition to therapy. To treat worry and burnout, it is advised to use a variety of therapeutic approaches, including transpersonal psychology and cognitive-behavioral therapy. To effectively address this increasing issue, it is essential to prioritize access to mental health services and resources, eliminate the stigma attached to mental health problems, and advance knowledge and education about mental health.
Mental health is personal and different for everyone. A therapist giving individualized advice is preferable.
Persona
Based on our finds from all the research conducted, we came out with our persona representing our primary users and their concerns.
Emília is a data analyst who is constantly stressed and anxious. She goes to therapy but can't put into practice all recommendations.
User journey
Emilia's two significant sources of discomfort throughout the day are driving to work, getting stuck in traffic, and feeling irritated with her job duties. She enjoys conversing with her pals on the phone and interacting with her classmates during lunchtime.
Problem statement
Problem statement:
“Emília is an anxious person and has trouble sleeping. She must practice therapeutic recommendations to reduce her anxiety and improve her sleep quality.”
How might we:
“How might we help Emília put into practice her therapist's recommendations to reduce anxiety and improve the quality of sleep?”
Ideation
We already had a few concepts in mind for developing a different approach that might assist those therapists in maximizing the directions they provided during an appointment.
We had ideas for a solution for therapists to assist patients in following directions after appointments. The majority of wellness applications emphasize restorative practices like journaling and meditation. Our app makes it simpler for patients to complete chores by providing personalized suggestions from therapists, progress tracking, and communication.
According to research, an organized routine and the use of a variety of tools are necessary for effective anxiety therapy. Therapists advise patients to engage in specific tasks between sessions, but patients may find it challenging to carry them out.
Our vision
By offering a simple platform for goal-setting and progress tracking, our app hopes to transform how therapists and clients interact. By integrating these two personas, we create a user-friendly app that enables therapists to make more practical suggestions and clients to stay focused on their goals.
Features
Although we had many fantastic features in mind to help users advance, we had to set priorities and contain our enthusiasm to develop a Minimum Viable Product. (MVP). This enabled us to concentrate on the crucial features of a successful project.
• A mood tracker.
• A journal, an organizer, breathing exercises,
• Tasks suggested by therapists are all included in our MVP.
Site map & User flow
Site maps and user flow are essential for the design process as they visually represent the website's structure and user journey. It helps designers ensure the user experience is efficient, logical, and meets the user's needs. By identifying potential issues early on, designers can make informed decisions about the site's layout and functionality.
Since we had a short time to deliver the MVP, we have only created a flow that simulates the user journey through the app.
Wireframe
Wireframes are essential for the design process because they offer a roadmap for the structure and operation of the website. They enable designers to evaluate usability, spot design flaws, and ensure the website meets customer objectives. Wireframes are essential to the design process because they simplify development and lower design costs.
Concept testing
We did concept testing with numerous users while developing the mid-fi wireframes, which was essential. We moved the therapist's appointment and mood tracker features based on user feedback to better satisfy their needs. Users and experts voiced their satisfaction with the app and excitement for its release, realizing its potential to be very helpful.
The visual
The brand
The name came from one of our team members who was born in Lebanon; therefore, the Arabic language has a lot of meaning for her, So she came out with Shafa, which means healing.
The colors
We chose a palette of hues inspired by the sunset, gradating from light blue to a soft orange, to create a calming atmosphere. Additionally, the illustrations that we used add to the peaceful motif.
Style Tile
The soft gradient is used on the background
CTA buttons are the same colour as the logotype
Special information is green
Texts are graphite
Prototype
Onboarding and Engaging with Activities
Onboarding is critical to introducing new users to an app's main features and how to use them, setting the tone for their entire experience and impacting user retention. It's essential to show off the app's main features clearly and gather data like mood to personalize the experience and offer targeted support, enhancing their overall journey.
The app also lets users pick activities that match their interests and needs, offering a content catalog to sort and filter options by type and duration for a tailored experience. After finishing an activity, users get motivational feedback, helping them track progress and stay engaged. This approach of providing varied activities, a customizable catalog, and feedback after activities are crucial for a satisfying user experience and ongoing app engagement.
Journal & To-do list
During our discovery process, feedback from therapists and users highlighted the importance of documenting thoughts, monitoring emotions through writing, and following a structured routine. Based on this feedback, we consider these features essential additions to our project.
Usability test
We welcome the feedback on our app, appreciating the positive aspects and acknowledging the areas needing improvement
Positive Feedback:
• The app feels very easy to use.
• The color palette is pleasant and calming.
• The interface is concise and straight to the point.
Areas for Improvement:
· The copywriting needs improving.
· The onboarding gradient is repetitive and might be considered to minimize it.
· Some buttons have too much text.
· The mood tracker does not fit in the profile tab; it must be on the first screen for easier access and updating.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, a large proportion of the population in Brazil suffers from mental health problems, especially anxiety. The barriers to getting help include stigma, ignorance, a lack of education, and restricted access to resources for mental health. The COVID-19 epidemic has made things even worse.
The study resulted in a user-friendly digital solution to promote self-care, ease communication between therapists and patients, and give patients a fun platform to connect with themselves and follow their therapist's personalized instructions.
Thank you for taking the time to read!