Mental Health platform
Client
In-house product
Duration
Role
Product Owner and UX Lead
Context & Objectives
Mental health refers to our cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. In India, there's a significant lack of awareness about mental health due to cultural stigma, lack of education, insufficient mental health resources, socioeconomic factors, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Many individuals struggle to express their emotions openly due to fear of judgment and societal pressures.
Project Goals
Create a Safe Space: Develop a user-friendly platform that ensures privacy and anonymity, encouraging open and honest sharing.
Foster Connection: Facilitate meaningful connections among users with similar experiences, allowing them to support one another.
Promote Mental Well-being: Provide valuable resources, information, and access to professional support for users seeking assistance.
Break Stigmas: Contribute to destigmatizing mental health by promoting open conversations and reducing barriers to seeking help.
Team & Stakeholders
Team Composition:
UX Team: 2 UX designers.
Development Team: 5 developers
Content moderators: 1.
QA: 2 Testers.
Project Manager: 1.
Challenges & Problem Statement
Challenges:
Privacy and Security: Ensuring utmost security and privacy to protect user anonymity.
User Engagement: Developing an interface that encourages user participation and continuous engagement.
Content Moderation: Maintaining a safe environment through effective moderation to prevent harmful content.
Stigma and Awareness: Overcoming cultural stigmas associated with mental health in India.
Problem Statement:
Users are unable to openly express their emotions due to societal stigmas and lack of safe platforms. Our approach should provide them with a secure and open environment where they can easily interact while feeling supported and understood.
Process & Approach
Research Methods
User Interviews:
Distributed survey cards to visitors to gauge reactions to the concept of supportive sharing.
Collected feedback on user needs, fears, and preferences.
Secondary Research:
Studied statistics on mental health awareness and resources in India.
Analyzed existing platforms for gaps and opportunities.
Storyboarding:
Created storyboards to visualize user scenarios, including situations where individuals felt the need to share but lacked a platform.
Story Board
It’s a situation that many of us might have encountered or heard about: a colleague or someone we know has taken their own life. And after it happens, everyone starts talking. They say things like, “He seemed so cheerful just last week,” or “She was fine when we met for lunch.” People are confused and keep asking why it happened. They say, “He could have shared his troubles,” or “If only she had spoken to me about her problems.” Everyone keeps wondering why they didn’t see the signs, why the person didn’t reach out. They think, if only there had been a conversation, maybe things would have been different.
Strategy Development
Ideation Sessions:
Distributed survey cards to visitors to gauge reactions to the concept of supportive sharing.
Collected feedback on user needs, fears, and preferences.
Defining Objectives:
Studied statistics on mental health awareness and resources in India.
Analyzed existing platforms for gaps and opportunities.
Question Framing:
Created storyboards to visualize user scenarios, including situations where individuals felt the need to share but lacked a platform.
Design and Iteration
User-Centered Design:
Designed wireframes and prototypes based on user feedback.
Focused on simplicity and ease of use to lower barriers to entry.
Usability Testing:
Conducted testing sessions to refine the interface and improve user experience.
Content Moderation Strategy:
Implemented a combination of automated filters and manual reviews to prevent harmful content.
Leadership Role
Management Approach
Team Leadership:
Led cross-functional teams in design, development, and content moderation.
Fostered a collaborative environment encouraging open communication.
Decision-Making:
Prioritized features based on user needs and feasibility.
Made key decisions on privacy policies and user engagement strategies.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Coordinated with mental health professionals to ensure the platform provided valuable resources.
Presented project updates and incorporated feedback from stakeholders.
Solutions and Outcomes
Final Deliverables
Unreveald Platform:
A digital platform offering a safe, confidential space for users to share their stories.
Key Features:
Anonymity and Privacy Controls: Users can share without revealing their identity.
Community Forums and Private Groups: Spaces for users to connect based on shared experiences.
Resource Hub: Access to articles, tools, and professional support.
User-Friendly Interface: Simple navigation and intuitive design to encourage engagement.
Results
User Engagement:
Achieved over 10,000 registered users within the first three months.
Maintained a Monthly Active Users (MAU) of over 5,000 by the end of the first six months.
High levels of active participation in discussions and private groups.
Positive Feedback:
User Testimonials:
“Unreveald has been a lifeline for me. Being able to share my story anonymously gave me the courage to seek help and connect with others who understand what I’m going through.”
“The community on Unreveald is incredibly supportive. I’ve made meaningful connections that have helped me cope with stress and anxiety in ways I never thought possible.”
Professional Endorsements:
Mental health professionals praised the platform for bridging gaps in mental health support and providing valuable resources.
Official Launch
Unreveald was officially launched in November 2022, marking a significant milestone in the project. The platform garnered attention and positive feedback from users, mental health professionals, and the media.
Reflections and Learnings
What I Learned:
Importance of Privacy:
Ensuring user anonymity was crucial for building trust and encouraging open sharing.
User-Centric Design is Vital:
Direct feedback from users guided essential design choices and feature implementations.
Content Moderation is Complex:
Balancing open expression with the need to prevent harmful content required a robust strategy.
Breaking Stigma Takes Time:
Continuous efforts are needed to destigmatize mental health and encourage more users to seek support.
Future Considerations:
Mobile App Development:
Planning to develop iOS and Android apps to increase accessibility.
Expanding Partnerships:
Collaborating with more mental health organizations and professionals.
AI Integration:
Exploring AI-driven content recommendations and moderation tools.
Awareness Campaigns:
Launching initiatives to further destigmatize mental health issues in society.
Conclusion
Unreveald has successfully created a digital space where individuals can share their stories, find support, and access resources to enhance their mental well-being. The platform's commitment to privacy, community, and destigmatizing mental health issues has resonated with users, making it a valuable resource in the realm of mental health support.
As the Product Owner and UX Lead behind Unreveald, I am proud to have been part of this transformative project. I look forward to its continued growth and positive impact on individuals seeking mental well-being.
