Background

Young people are facing increasing pressures in their lives, with academic stress, social media, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic contributing to a rise in mental health issues.

University students are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues due to the pressures of academic performance, financial stress, and social isolation. The transition to university life can be challenging, with students often feeling overwhelmed and struggling to cope with the demands of their studies.

The Challenge

We took on the challenge to design an app that would provide students with the support they need to manage their mental well-being and build healthy habits that would help them succeed in their academic lives.

We also wanted to create a system that would encourage students to use the app regularly and engage with its features while building a sense of community and support among users.

Research

We started the project with preliminary research to understand the current landscape of mental health support for students. Key findings from the preliminary research included:

• According to the NHS, 67% of young people with a diagnosable mental health condition do not receive the necessary care they need.
• University students face significant pressures from academic performance, financial stress, and social isolation.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health issues, with 83% of young people reporting worsening conditions during the pandemic.
• Research on users' attitudes towards self-care apps revealed that one of the key reasons users stop using these apps is the lack of motivation.

We reviewed popular self-care apps used by students to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The apps reviewed included Headspace, VOS, Balance, and BetterHelp. While these apps offered resources like meditation, journaling and therapy sessions, they lacked features that specifically addressed the needs of university students.

User Questionnaire

Using Microsoft Forms, I created an online questionnaire aimed at gathering quantitative data on students' preferences and habits related to mental health and self-care and how it affects their academic performance.

The questionnaire was distributed to 45 students at Birmingham City University through the university mailing list.

User Interview

Following the questionnaire analysis, we conducted online semi-structured interviews with 20 students between the ages of 18 - 38 years old.

We asked questions around their mental health challenges, self-care habits, and their preferences for mental health support. Key interview questions included:

• What are your biggest mental health challenges as a university student?
• How do you spend your time alone, and How do you overcome obsessive thoughts?
• How often do you use self-care apps, and what motivates you to use them?
• What prevents you from sticking to your self-care plans?

Key Insights

1. Need for Accessible Resources: Students expressed a strong need for mental health resources that are easy to navigate and tailored to their specific needs.
2. Fear of Judgment: 73% of participants expressed their reluctance to share their feelings with others, citing fear of judgment and being misunderstood.
3. Value of Professional Help: Students cited the importance of having access to professional support, with 67% of participants expressing a desire to talk to therapists through the app.
4. Lack of Motivation: Many existing self-care apps are not fully meeting students' needs; 76% of participants mentioned that they had never used a self-care app before.
5. Community Support: 82% of participants expressed a desire for a space where they can share their experiences and feel supported in coping with their own challenges.

Problem Statement

University students face significant mental health challenges, including anxiety, stress, and isolation, yet existing self-care resources are often inaccessible, lack professional support, and fail to foster community engagement.

How might we create a mobile health app that is easy to navigate, provides access to resources tailored to university students' needs, offers professional support, and encourages peer support to help students better manage their mental health.

User Personas

We developed user personas from the research findings to represent our primary users, enabling us to better understand and empathize with their needs, motivations, and pain points.

Competitor Analysis

We conducted a competitive analysis of existing self-care apps to identify their strengths and weaknesses, which allowed us to uncover opportunities for differentiation and innovation in our solution.

Our Solution

StudentZen is a mental health app for students, offering accessible resources, professional support, and community features to help them manage their mental well-being and build healthier habits in a safe, judgment-free space.

We decided to focus on the following key features:

• Simplified navigation and tailored mental health tools.
• Anonymised forums and private journaling features.
• Access to professional therapists via chat or video call.
• Gamified activities and mood tracking to encourage engagement.
• Peer support groups and community-driven events.

Information Architecture

We conducted card sorting sessions with students to align the app's content structure with their expectations. By understanding how they categorize and prioritize mental health resources, we designed an intuitive information architecture that makes it easy for them to navigate and access the support they need.

Paper Sketches

We started the design process with paper sketches to explore different layout options and features. This allowed us to quickly iterate on our ideas and gather feedback from our team members before moving on to digital wireframes.

Design Criteria

We set some design criteria to ensure that final designn aligned with our goals and user needs. These criteria served as guiding principles throughout the design process, helping us create an app that is both functional and engaging.

1. User Accessibility: We designed the app for easy navigation and use, including features like high-contrast modes for users with disabilities.
2. Simplicity: We maintained a clean, uncluttered design to help users quickly complete their tasks with minimal effort.
3. Engagement: We added interactive elements like daily challenges and mood tracking to keep users motivated and involved.
4. Consistency: We ensured that design elements and interactions were consistent throughout the app for a seamless user experience.
5. Privacy: We prioritised user privacy with secure data handling and options for anonymous engagement.
6. Emotional Appeal: We chose calming colours, legible typography, and imagery to create a supportive and welcoming environment.

User Interface

We focused on creating a visually appealing and intuitive design that enhances the user experience. We carefully selected a color palette that is calming and supportive for students. The text and typography were chosen to be clear and legible, promoting ease of reading across different devices. Icons were designed to be simple and easily recognisable, helping users navigate the app effortlessly.

Additionally, we created custom components, such as buttons, forms, and cards, that maintain consistency throughout the app while aligning with the overall aesthetic and functional goals.

Accessibility Considerations

We prioritised accessibility by designing the app with features specifically for students with colour blindness. Users can adjust the colour profile to enhance readability, and they can also change the text size to fit their needs.

Additionally, we included a voice recording option for journaling, so users can easily record their thoughts without typing. This feature is especially helpful for users with motor disabilities or those who prefer not to type.

Usability Test

After connecting the screens to create a working prototype, we conducted a series of usability tests with a diverse group of students to evaluate the app's functionality, ease of use, and overall user experience. Participants were asked to complete six key tasks:

1. Log in to the app and set up a profile.
2. Complete a mood tracking activity.
3. Write a journal entry.
4. Write a post in the community.
5. Send a message to a therapist.
6. Complete a daily challenge.

The insights gathered were valuable

• Users want to record their moods more easily on the journal page (3 out of 10 participants mentioned the extra step required to record their mood).
• Users highlighted the need for clearer guidance on actions they could take right after launching the app, as 7 out of 10 participants were unaware they could swipe an activity card to mark it as done.
• There was confusion among users regarding their current status in challenges (5 out of 10 participants were unclear about the stage they were at).
• Users appreciated the option to record their thoughts through voice notes, with all participants mentioning that it was a helpful feature.

Based on the feedback, we made several adjustments to the app's design and functionality to improve the user experience and address the pain points identified during testing.

Final Designs

Reflection

Working on the Student Zen app was a collaborative effort that was both rewarding and challenging. I gained valuable insights throughout the process, and I believe this app will make a meaningful difference in helping students manage their mental well-being.

I'm pleased with the final outcome, but I've identified areas for improvement in future projects:

• Update the app with more science-based challenges that are proven to help people suffering from stress and anxiety, ensuring the content is as effective as possible.
• Seek feedback early from target users to make sure that the app is meeting their needs and expectations. This will help to avoid potential issues early in the design process.
• Redesign the achievement badges to be more consistent with the app’s overall visual style, further enhancing the user experience.