Values and Industry Research
What drew me to coding, and what do I wish to accomplish as a software engineer? From a young age, I had a great interest in video games, and wanted to become a software developer. At the age of 10, I started coding in Ruby on a whim to make small games of my own. I watched YouTube tutorials and used sample code I’d find on GitHub as a reference for my own code. But as I got older, I thought about what I really wanted in the world. What I want to accomplish as a software engineer. I realized that it wasn’t just video games I wanted to make, but I wanted to make something that would positively impact people around the world. I wanted to reach my hand out to those who are suffering in silence.
My Domains
My top three areas of interest/domains are: video games, digital art, and mental health. I chose video games because it has been an interest/hobby of mine since I was younger, and was what got me into coding to begin with. Another interest of mine is digital art. I appreciate art greatly, as it is a great way to express yourself. Whenever I am feeling upset or in a bad mood, I draw, paint, or sculpt something that allows me to make something out of those negative energies. Lastly, I chose mental health because I have lived in a society where mental health is highly stigmatized, and I feel like those who are suffering mentally are not getting the proper help they require. I wish to one day create software that can help the mentally ill get the help they need.
Photo by Ian Espinosa on Unsplash
A PEST Analysis of my Domain
I believe my timing was correct to choose a domain such as mental health. Nowadays, people are raising more awareness for mental health, and I believe that with the increasing support for mental health awareness, a product made solely to help those with mental illnesses would be hot on the market. I believe that nowadays, mental health is a subject that is being talked about more, so it will not be long before it is something that can be openly talked about. From a political view point, mental health is becoming a much bigger issue. This is due to healthcare, which is a common subject in politics. In order for those to seek help for mental issues or health, they will need healthcare to cover the costs. For an economical view, the economy will shift as people invest more in mental health. For a socioeconomic view, I wish to make my product accessible for everyone. The product I will make will help those suffering with a mental illness find cheap, affordable help. I want this product to also affect the world in a social view. I want people to not feel bad about talking and sharing about mental health. I wish that mental illness would no longer be a social stigma. Lastly, I want others to feel inspired by this product to create more software that can benefit others’ health.
Competition in my Domain
As for competition in my domain, I am aware there was an app called Better Help, which sought to help others by allowing them to speak to therapists through the app. However, there were numerous problems with this app, most claiming the app was a scam, as most of the “medical professionals” were not certified, and people were not getting their money back. I have not found any other mental-health related apps, other than the notorious Better Help. I however, wish to create an app that allows people to actually get the help they need.
User Interviews
I have recently gone around the streets of San Francisco asking for others’ input on mental health and its stigma. I have asked a man from London, England about mental health, and how it is viewed in the UK. He told me about how his brother had recently passed in January because of complications of schizophrenia. He spoke of how his family has suffered from schizophrenia and how the stigma is very bad in his home country. He told me that he believed that everyone’s family has some sort of mental illness, diagnosed or not, and that mental health/illness is very not something to be ashamed of. This made me realize that my views were previously very narrow. I only worried about mental health in the United States, but around the world, it is a much bigger problem.
I spoke to a couple from Germany, and the couple did not really want to speak about mental health, but gave me their insight anyway. The hesitation made me feel like that the stigma must be so strong that they were afraid to even speak about it. But they were kind to speak with me anyway. Their english was not very good, but they told me they feel like mental health is in fact stigmatized in today’s society. From this experience, I learned that the United States is slowly getting better compared to other countries, and although I cannot change everyone’s minds in the world, I will do what I can to make a program that can help people all over get the help they need, and for them to understand that mental health/illness is not something to be ashamed of.
Mind Map
I used a mind map, and I planned out my app to have plenty of visuals, for those who have trouble reading, for example, those with dyslexia. I want my app to be accessible to those with disabilities, and to have an easy to maneuver user interface. I also thought about having a change language option, so those who do not understand english can use it as well. Another idea I had was to have an incognito mode, in which the app will look like a normal pizza delivery app when turned on, for those who are trying to secretly seek help.
My app will allow users to find therapists/psychiatrists nearby, and will display contact information about each. I will make sure to also display their credentials so users will know that these are certified medical professionals. I’m hoping to implement a chatroom feature so users can have one on one conversations with their therapist/psychiatrist in the chatroom rather than their actual messenger on their phone. This is because of how easy it is for others to access chat records on the messenger on phones. I strive to make an app that allows those who are suffering from mental illness that are too embarrassed or afraid to get help, receive the help they need. I know that suffering in silence is never the answer, and when the man I met for my interview told me about how his brother had died due to complications with schizophrenia, it solidified my determination to reach my hand out. His brother had died because he was afraid to get help. Mental Illness is such a big social stigma, and I fear that more people will die if they do not seek the help they need. I know not everyone will use my app, but I want my app to be an option for those who are too afraid to seek the help they need.
My Product Idea
I desire to help those who are mentally ill get the help they need quietly through technology. I want to be able to create an app that allows me to reach my hand out to those suffering and offer help by connecting them to medical professionals. My product allows people to gain guidance and help in secret, due to the stigma of mental health in today’s society. I know there are people out there who suffering in silence and too afraid or too ashamed to get the help they need, and I want to be able to reach my hand out and guide them. Compared to other products, I want to create an “incognito” mode where the app’s user interface changes to mimic another app to allow people to secretly chat with medical professionals. This is so those who feel too ashamed to speak to their medical professional (therapist, psychiatrist) in public can switch the app interface so it looks like they’re just using another app, and not have to worry about others judging them. I want my app to be versatile, and allow those who have disabilities to use it as well.
User Journey
My user journeys will all pertain to those suffering from mental illness. If I were to make two user journeys, it would be something like this:
“I was always afraid to speak up about my mental health and talk to a therapist. But thankfully, with this app, I was able to talk to a therapist in secret, and receive the counseling I need.”
“I have been suffering from a personality disorder and I feel so lost. My parents view mental health/mental illness in a negative light, so I cannot receive the help I need. However, with this app, I was able to find a therapist for free. I can also chat with my therapist over the phone, and when my parents come in, I can easily switch the appearance so they think I’m just on social media. Very helpful, and helped me connect to medical professionals without getting anyone else involved.”
I want my app to be used by people of all ages, and I understand how adolescents and teens may have trouble getting help for mental illnesses, especially with the big mental health stigma present in today’s society. Growing up, most of my friends’ parents wouldn’t take them to a therapist because their parents did not believe in “therapy” and would often roll their eyes at such a gesture. I want my feature to switch the appearance to play a big role in my app, because I understand how important confidentiality is to people, especially those are ashamed/afraid of even talking to a therapist in the first place.
Wireframe
For my wire frame, I have designed my app to be strictly mobile so people will always have it on hand. I created a wireframe so I can visually see the idea in my head and so I will know what I need to do/create for my app. I designed my wireframe to be simple and sweet, with large buttons and text for the visually impaired. The crescent moon button on the top will be the incognito button that will change the app’s user interface.
