Overview
Oasis is an innovative mental health app designed to revolutionize self-care in the digital age. Recognizing the limitations of existing mental health apps in providing personalized support while respecting users' privacy, Oasis aims to redefine the way individuals manage depression and anxiety.
Through extensive research and thoughtful design, it offers a solution that prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meaningful support. By addressing the shortcomings of current apps, Oasis empowers users to access effective self-care tailored to their needs and boundaries, marking a significant advancement for their mental health.
Disclaimer:
This application is a concept prototype and is intended solely as a resource for individuals coping with depression and anxiety and is not a replacement for professional therapy. In cases of severe symptoms or thoughts of self-harm, the app will discontinue its assistance and recommend consulting healthcare professionals.
Users acknowledge that the app does not provide medical or therapeutic services and agree to use it at their own discretion.
Oasis is an innovative mental health app designed to revolutionize self-care in the digital age. Recognizing the limitations of existing mental health apps in providing personalized support while respecting users' privacy, Oasis aims to redefine the way individuals manage depression and anxiety.
Through extensive research and thoughtful design, it offers a solution that prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meaningful support. By addressing the shortcomings of current apps, Oasis empowers users to access effective self-care tailored to their needs and boundaries, marking a significant advancement for their mental health.
Disclaimer:
This application is a concept prototype and is intended solely as a resource for individuals coping with depression and anxiety and is not a replacement for professional therapy. In cases of severe symptoms or thoughts of self-harm, the app will discontinue its assistance and recommend consulting healthcare professionals.
Users acknowledge that the app does not provide medical or therapeutic services and agree to use it at their own discretion.
Project Goals
Design: Develop an innovative mental health app focused on personalized care for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety, addressing the shortcomings of existing apps.
Research: Create a user-centric digital environment that prioritizes privacy, meaningful support, and inclusivity, fostering resilience and community among users.
Generative AI: Utilize AI-based features, extensive research, and iterative design to empower users with effective self-care tailored to their individual needs, revolutionizing the way mental health is managed in the digital age.
Design: Develop an innovative mental health app focused on personalized care for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety, addressing the shortcomings of existing apps.
Research: Create a user-centric digital environment that prioritizes privacy, meaningful support, and inclusivity, fostering resilience and community among users.
Generative AI: Utilize AI-based features, extensive research, and iterative design to empower users with effective self-care tailored to their individual needs, revolutionizing the way mental health is managed in the digital age.
Research Insights
My research journey involved competitive analysis, surveys, and heuristic evaluations. We discovered a pressing need for -
Personalized care and recommendations.
Evidence-based transparent information.
Community support.
Self Harm prevention.
Timely un-intrusive support.
Which then lead to the question of How might We? In this case, How might I?
My research journey involved competitive analysis, surveys, and heuristic evaluations. We discovered a pressing need for -
Personalized care and recommendations.
Evidence-based transparent information.
Community support.
Self Harm prevention.
Timely un-intrusive support.
Which then lead to the question of How might We? In this case, How might I?
How Might I?
Oasis aims to address the research insights that I gathered, so that lead me to -
"How might I enable mental health apps to provide accessible self-care that genuinely cares for the user's well-being, ensuring trustworthiness and privacy, without imposing on their daily lives?"
Oasis aims to address the research insights that I gathered, so that lead me to -
"How might I enable mental health apps to provide accessible self-care that genuinely cares for the user's well-being, ensuring trustworthiness and privacy, without imposing on their daily lives?"
Key Job to be Done
The key job to be done is my reasoning for the app to exist.
"Enable individuals to access effective self-care for anxiety and depression by providing a platform that is constantly self aware , constantly learning to provide personalized care with minimal app interaction while ensuring no self harm is inflicted.”
The key job to be done is my reasoning for the app to exist.
"Enable individuals to access effective self-care for anxiety and depression by providing a platform that is constantly self aware , constantly learning to provide personalized care with minimal app interaction while ensuring no self harm is inflicted.”
Journey Mapping
Competition Research
Competitors that I looked into are
Headspace
Calm
Sanvello
Competitors that I looked into are
Headspace
Calm
Sanvello
Critique made me reconsider
During a constructive critique session with my colleagues, crucial concerns were raised that I hadn't initially considered or planned for.
One significant issue highlighted was the potential for using AI to evoke mistrust and fear in an application intended to support mental health.
While there is a rationale for its inclusion, it must be implemented in a non-threatening manner.
Moreover, if the app is designed to continually evolve, it must possess the self-awareness to discern when to cease offering information and assistance, and instead guide users to seek support from real individuals.
This prompts the question:
"Is the integration of AI necessary, and can it truly enhance the app's value?"
During a constructive critique session with my colleagues, crucial concerns were raised that I hadn't initially considered or planned for.
One significant issue highlighted was the potential for using AI to evoke mistrust and fear in an application intended to support mental health.
While there is a rationale for its inclusion, it must be implemented in a non-threatening manner.
Moreover, if the app is designed to continually evolve, it must possess the self-awareness to discern when to cease offering information and assistance, and instead guide users to seek support from real individuals.
This prompts the question:
"Is the integration of AI necessary, and can it truly enhance the app's value?"
After conducting further research and engaging in discussions with various stakeholders, I made several adjustments to address potential user concerns.
I opted to rename the AI chat feature to "Search," providing a more generic and less intimidating label while still retaining its functionality.
I implemented a new feature designed to detect signs of self-harm. Upon detection, this feature temporarily suspends typical app functions, prompting users to seek assistance from trained medical professionals.
This intentional redirection encourages users to seek human support when needed.
This experience underscored the potential value of AI within an app, particularly when utilized discreetly in the background.
After conducting further research and engaging in discussions with various stakeholders, I made several adjustments to address potential user concerns.
I opted to rename the AI chat feature to "Search," providing a more generic and less intimidating label while still retaining its functionality.
I implemented a new feature designed to detect signs of self-harm. Upon detection, this feature temporarily suspends typical app functions, prompting users to seek assistance from trained medical professionals.
This intentional redirection encourages users to seek human support when needed.
This experience underscored the potential value of AI within an app, particularly when utilized discreetly in the background.
Low Fidelity Designs
This is where the initial sketches and ideas took shape. Low-fidelity designs provided a foundational structure, emphasizing layout and essential user interactions. These designs laid the groundwork for the entire project.
This is where the initial sketches and ideas took shape. Low-fidelity designs provided a foundational structure, emphasizing layout and essential user interactions. These designs laid the groundwork for the entire project.
Mid Fidelity Designs
As I moved into mid-fidelity designs, the rough sketches began to transform into more detailed, visually cohesive representations. This stage brought the concept closer to reality by incorporating refined elements, such as color schemes and typography.
As I moved into mid-fidelity designs, the rough sketches began to transform into more detailed, visually cohesive representations. This stage brought the concept closer to reality by incorporating refined elements, such as color schemes and typography.
High Fidelity Designs
The high-fidelity prototypes represent the culmination of the design process. Here, every detail was meticulously refined, and interactive elements were introduced to create a lifelike user experience. These prototypes provided a compelling and realistic vision for Scout. The cherry on top comes from the completely prototyped application that made users feel that it is an application that is live.
The high-fidelity prototypes represent the culmination of the design process. Here, every detail was meticulously refined, and interactive elements were introduced to create a lifelike user experience. These prototypes provided a compelling and realistic vision for Scout. The cherry on top comes from the completely prototyped application that made users feel that it is an application that is live.
Today
Today gives users and overview of their tasks for the day and is limited to 3 tasks reducing cognitive load and added stress of completing the tasks.
Today gives users and overview of their tasks for the day and is limited to 3 tasks reducing cognitive load and added stress of completing the tasks.
Recommendations
Effortlessly access tailored recommendations aligned with daily tasks, while intuitive scrolling unveils commonly asked questions pertinent to the current activities.
Effortlessly access tailored recommendations aligned with daily tasks, while intuitive scrolling unveils commonly asked questions pertinent to the current activities.
Community
Enables users to build a supportive network of trusted friends and advisors, leveraging collective wisdom and diverse experiences to navigate and resolve personal challenges effectively.
Enables users to build a supportive network of trusted friends and advisors, leveraging collective wisdom and diverse experiences to navigate and resolve personal challenges effectively.
Health Trackers
Users can seamlessly link their health devices, including smartwatches, fitness rings, and other sensors, enabling the app to incorporate this data into its recommendations and information, providing personalized insights tailored to each individual's health journey.
Users can seamlessly link their health devices, including smartwatches, fitness rings, and other sensors, enabling the app to incorporate this data into its recommendations and information, providing personalized insights tailored to each individual's health journey.
Resources
Empower yourself to learn, comprehend, adapt, and embark on a journey of healing with a diverse array of meticulously curated and verified resources.
The Resources page not only gathers materials tailored to your needs but also showcases contributions from our community members, rigorously reviewed and authenticated in collaboration with medical experts worldwide.
Empower yourself to learn, comprehend, adapt, and embark on a journey of healing with a diverse array of meticulously curated and verified resources.
The Resources page not only gathers materials tailored to your needs but also showcases contributions from our community members, rigorously reviewed and authenticated in collaboration with medical experts worldwide.
Search with AI
Innovative search feature, bolstered by generative AI. It's designed to deliver information in a human-like manner, making complex concepts easily understandable.
Continuously learning and evolving, this feature prioritizes user safety by detecting signs of self-harm and temporarily halting normal app functions until human assistance is sought. It's a crucial tool that balances support with user well-being, ensuring a safe and enriching experience.
Innovative search feature, bolstered by generative AI. It's designed to deliver information in a human-like manner, making complex concepts easily understandable.
Continuously learning and evolving, this feature prioritizes user safety by detecting signs of self-harm and temporarily halting normal app functions until human assistance is sought. It's a crucial tool that balances support with user well-being, ensuring a safe and enriching experience.
Prototype
Next Steps
Collaboration with Medical Partners: Continue partnering with medically certified professionals to conduct user testing across a spectrum of severity levels. This ensures that the app's features and recommendations are effective and beneficial for users with varying needs.
Integration of AI: Further develop AI capabilities to streamline user flows and manage complexities within the app. Emphasize the importance of maintaining an omnipresent yet unobtrusive presence of AI to enhance user experience without overwhelming them.
Diverse Resource Offerings: Explore additional types of resources to present to users, leveraging insights from medically certified therapists. This may involve expanding the range of content, such as articles, exercises, or guided meditations, to cater to different user preferences and needs.
Collaboration with Therapists: Investigate potential collaborations with therapists to facilitate direct conversations with users and provide access to affordable mental health assistance. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between digital support and professional care, making mental health resources more accessible to a wider audience.
Regular Re-assessment: Continuously re-evaluate the original premise of the app to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in addressing evolving user needs. Conduct periodic assessments to gauge the app's impact and consider adjustments or pivots as necessary to maintain its value proposition in the long term.
Collaboration with Medical Partners: Continue partnering with medically certified professionals to conduct user testing across a spectrum of severity levels. This ensures that the app's features and recommendations are effective and beneficial for users with varying needs.
Integration of AI: Further develop AI capabilities to streamline user flows and manage complexities within the app. Emphasize the importance of maintaining an omnipresent yet unobtrusive presence of AI to enhance user experience without overwhelming them.
Diverse Resource Offerings: Explore additional types of resources to present to users, leveraging insights from medically certified therapists. This may involve expanding the range of content, such as articles, exercises, or guided meditations, to cater to different user preferences and needs.
Collaboration with Therapists: Investigate potential collaborations with therapists to facilitate direct conversations with users and provide access to affordable mental health assistance. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between digital support and professional care, making mental health resources more accessible to a wider audience.
Regular Re-assessment: Continuously re-evaluate the original premise of the app to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in addressing evolving user needs. Conduct periodic assessments to gauge the app's impact and consider adjustments or pivots as necessary to maintain its value proposition in the long term.
Conclusion
Through thorough research and user-focused design, I've created a digital platform to support individuals managing depression and anxiety. Prioritizing personalization, privacy, and community, the aim is to provide a supportive environment for users to find solace and meaningful connections. As I continue to improve and collaborate, the goal remains clear: to empower individuals on their mental health journey and make a positive impact on well-being.
Through thorough research and user-focused design, I've created a digital platform to support individuals managing depression and anxiety. Prioritizing personalization, privacy, and community, the aim is to provide a supportive environment for users to find solace and meaningful connections. As I continue to improve and collaborate, the goal remains clear: to empower individuals on their mental health journey and make a positive impact on well-being.