Overview
AngelMinds is an AI-driven mental health application designed to support individuals suffering from depression and anxiety across Africa. It features an advanced AI called "AI Angel," which provides personalized mental health care, tailored insights, and evidence-based solutions. AngelMinds aims to raise mental health awareness, offer education, and create support groups led by trained clinicians and counselors.
Role & Contributions
As the UI/UX designer, I was responsible for creating a user-centered design that would be both intuitive and engaging. My tasks included user research, wireframing, prototyping, and conducting usability tests to ensure the final design was accessible and effective for users in Africa.
Problem
The observation reveals that people in Africa want to improve their mental health, but they struggle because they don't have adequate access to resources or professional support. Individuals tend to adapt to their local cultural stigmas and limited mental health practices. Experiences in Kenya and Cameroon highlight that access to mental health services varies by location, thereby influencing individual habits and their willingness to seek help accordingly.
Understanding user perspectives on Mental health in Africa
Our objective is to identify the present challenges and issues users encounter in relation to mental health in Africa.This initiative aims to gather ideas and insights on features addressing the societal problem of mental health stigma and the lack of resources for individual users. The following is a summary of my findings:
95% of interview users feel frustrated due to the lack of accessible mental health services in their region.
85% of interview users struggle with the stigma associated with seeking mental health support, often feeling isolated and unsupported.
75% of interview users rely on informal support networks, such as friends or family, when professional help is not available.
The data speaks:
Design Challenges
Cultural Sensitivity: Designing for a diverse African audience required careful consideration of cultural nuances, language, and accessibility.
User Engagement: Ensuring that the app was engaging while maintaining a focus on user well-being was a key priority.
AI Integration: The design needed to seamlessly integrate AI Angel’s features without overwhelming users with technology.
Research findings
To identify the current pain points that users encounter with AngelMinds, we particularly focused on challenges related to the user experience and accessibility of mental health resources. The following is what we discovered:
100% of interviewed users prefer real-time responses over AI-driven solutions for their mental health needs. While they appreciate the convenience of AI, they still value the human touch and empathy that comes from direct interaction with a mental health professional.
80% of interviewed users find navigating the app's resource library to be overwhelming and unorganized.This challenge often results in users being unable to quickly find the support they need, which diminishes the overall effectiveness of the app.
Understanding the user perspective,
we created the personas to help us move forward with our
decision-making.
Considering the personas and research data, I aim to address the specific problem through a targeted question.
Brainstorming and the solution:
Considering the pain points of our personas, I conducted an in-depth analysis of various potential solutions that could address their specific needs. After evaluating several ideas, I ultimately decided that the most effective approach would be to develop a community-focused platform within AngelMinds. This platform would not only provide a space for users to share mental health resources but also foster a sense of connection and support among members.
The idea is to create a safe and inclusive environment where individuals can openly discuss their mental health challenges, share valuable resources like coping strategies, therapeutic exercises, and access to professional help, and support each other through peer-to-peer interactions. By focusing on community-building and resource sharing, this platform aims to break down the stigma associated with mental health issues and empower users to take proactive steps in managing their mental well-being.
Ultimately, this solution is designed to create a holistic support system that addresses both the emotional and practical needs of our users, enhancing their overall experience within the AngelMinds ecosystem.
Empathize with AngelMinds users:
Acknowledge that users in different mental health scenarios may have varying preferences; some might be comfortable sharing their experiences openly, while others may prefer a more reserved approach, choosing to engage in specific ways that feel safe to them.
Highlighting urgent mental health needs or time-sensitive resources is a crucial feature. This allows users to quickly identify resources or support opportunities that require immediate attention. When sharing their experiences or offering support, users should be guided to provide key details, such as the nature of their mental health challenge, a brief description, the level of support needed, and relevant categories, ensuring all necessary information is readily available for those looking to help.
Empathize with AngelMinds users:
AngelMinds Connect is more than just an app; it's a vibrant community that transforms everyday challenges into opportunities for growth, celebrates the power of shared experiences, and spreads the joy of supporting one another on the journey to better mental health. So, don't just cope—connect, thrive, and empower your mind with AngelMinds Connect.
Register and craft your profile
AngelMinds Connect is an app focused on fostering community support and mental well-being. Share your mental health journey, express your preferences, and personalize your presence within the AngelMinds community.
Personalize Your Journey
Enhanced search filters for a tailored experience:
Based on feedback from our initial user testing, we've gone the extra mile to refine the search experience within AngelMinds Connect. We're introducing new filters, including options to focus on specific types of support and resources, catering to the unique needs of our diverse community.
Proximity as your guiding factor:
Understanding the importance of accessibility in finding the right support, we've made proximity a key criterion in our search functionality. Now, you can not only find the mental health resources and connections that best match your needs but also locate them conveniently based on their closeness to your location.
Testing the design
Here are the data and insights gathered from user feedback on AngelMinds Connect:
100% of test users found the signup process to be easy and straightforward, giving it a rating of 4.7 out of 5 for ease of use.
When it came to sharing their experiences or accessing mental health resources, users found the process particularly intuitive, earning it a rating of 4.6 out of 5.
100% of test users rated the overall usability of the app at 9 out of 10, highlighting the app's user-friendly design and accessibility.
Addressing user confusion and navigation challenges
During testing, 80% of users mistakenly perceived the "search and filter" page as interactive, while 40% of users had difficulty locating the skip and next buttons. To address these challenges, we implemented the following improvements:
Enhanced Content Layout: We modified the content layout to provide more visual separation, reducing reliance on precise proportions and making the interface clearer and more user-friendly.
Improved Navigation: In response to user feedback, we incorporated clear and intuitive navigation options, making it easier for users to return to the previous page or step, ensuring a smoother onboarding experience within AngelMinds Connect.
If I were to advance AngelMinds Connect to the next phase, here are the key considerations I would explore:
Expanding the Platform: Scaling the platform to involve more mental health professionals, organizations, and community groups, and improving interactions between these entities and users.
Evaluating Payment Systems: Assessing the payment options for any paid services, including user-friendly payment methods and developing a transparent calculation method for service fees.
Integrating Animations: Introducing subtle animations to enhance user engagement, making the platform more interactive and visually appealing.
Enhancing Community Features: Strengthening the community aspect to encourage greater user participation in profiles, interactions, and reviews. Noting that 40% of test users preferred skipping the profile setup during usability testing, we would explore ways to make this step more engaging and valuable for users.
To Be Continued
Key Takeaway
The project was a success and offered me valuable insights into the design process for AngelMinds Connect. Initially, my goal was to create groundbreaking, innovative features that were unprecedented in the mental health industry. However, I quickly realized that originality isn't the only measure of success. While unique concepts have their place, similar outcomes can often be achieved by refining existing processes. Ultimately, enhancing the user experience remains the most important goal, even within familiar app frameworks.