Anxiety is a major problem for College/University students!
According to the NCHA Spring 2019 Executive Summary,
34.6% of student respondents reported Anxiety
affected their Academic performance.
the Covid-19 Pandemic increased the anxiety in college/university students by 10% when compared to the pre-pandemic period.
Solving Anxiety would mean fewer students…
1. In emotional and mental distress
2. Have physical ailments, or abuse substances
3. Drop out of college/university
The Google play store already has over 250 apps for anxiety.
These are just the apps for Anxiety. This does not take into account apps for: depression, eating disorders, sleep tracking, and mood disorders.
Most are rated from anywhere between 3.5 and 4.5 stars. But that is misleading because it doesn’t say the number of reviews. A rating of 4.5 from 163 reviews is different from a 4.5 rating from only 5 reviews.
It makes choosing an app difficult, if not overwhelming.
There are a few with no ratings and an even smaller number that cost money.
It makes choosing an app difficult, if not overwhelming.
There are a few with no ratings and an even smaller number that cost money.
With so much competition, how can a new app
address the root causes of anxiety
and help people feel better?
Solution - Question Anxiety
An app that guides users through Cognitive Behavioral exercises to find the root cause of their anxiety.
How it works...
1. Users find a quiet place and get comfortable
2. Users enter what is bothering them
3. Users are challenged to identify what is awful about how they are feeling
4. Users are challenged to identify if their thoughts are rational or irrational
5. The app offers guidance based on user responses
By understanding the cause of their anxiety,
users will be able to...
1. Look objectively at their thought process
2. Psychologically reframe how they are thinking
3. Re-examine the challenges in their lives
4. Ideally be able to function better
The mid-fidelity prototype can be found here...
(high-fidelity prototype coming soon)
Move your mouse around the prototype to move through the app.
You cannot enter any information. This is just a proof of concept.
The process:
When going through the app, users are taken through "The 5 Why's."
This design exercise helps drill down to the root cause of the anxiety.
Next, users are asked if the anxiety is internal, external, both or they don't know.
Next, users are asked if the anxiety is rational, irrational, or they don't know.
Finally, users are asked if the consequences of being anxious are positive, negative, or they don't know.
Based on the answers the app will suggest tools, such as breathing exercises, or getting professional help.
The story behind the app
Initial Research and Concept
My journey began with a broad focus and some vague ideas, guided by Professor Mark Shufflebottom. With his help, I decided to concentrate on anxiety, a topic close to my heart and highly relevant during the pandemic's impact on education. According to CAMH and the Toronto Star, anxiety levels among kids were soaring. This seemed like a timely and important issue to explore, with ample opportunities for expert interviews and data collection.
Shifting Focus to College Students
However, initial attempts to gather data from friends and experts were unsuccessful. After discussing this setback with Professor Shufflebottom, he suggested pivoting to college students. This new direction allowed me to utilize Sheridan College's counseling services and survey my peers. This shift proved fruitful, leading to 15 survey responses, expert interviews, and focus group discussions with friends experiencing anxiety. Additionally, I accessed raw data from the Toronto Star and other secondary sources, laying a strong foundation for my project.
Developing the First Prototype
The first prototype, although based on sound research, was not effective. It was a task management app where users battled "monsters" representing their tasks. The concept aimed to help users reframe tasks as challenges rather than obstacles. While there was some interest in the idea, feedback indicated it needed improvement.
Reimagining the Solution
Professor Meredith Thompson challenged me to rethink the app's purpose. She asked if it was something I would personally use, and my honest answer was no. This led me to revisit my goals and build from a clearer understanding of what the app should achieve.
Pivoting to Root Cause Analysis
Inspired by Dr. Daniel Rutley's book, "Escaping Emotional Entrapment," I focused on addressing the root causes of anxiety. I created a paper prototype incorporating key lessons from the book, which received positive feedback during user testing. This feedback helped refine the app's content and functionality.
Finalizing the Concept
I initially considered two design approaches: an Augmented Reality game or a flat map version. User testing favored the Augmented Reality concept, and I began developing mock-ups. However, Professor Thompson and I realized the app needed a clearer focus. By combining design thinking exercises with anxiety analysis, we developed a streamlined flow chart, providing a solid foundation for the app's functionality.
Building the Wireframe and Prototype
Creating the wireframe in Adobe XD was straightforward, thanks to thorough planning in Mural. I chose a blue and white color scheme for its calming effect and accessibility. The prototype effectively demonstrated the concept, though there were areas for improvement, such as text quality and unique graphics.
Lessons Learned
This project was a significant learning experience. I learned the importance of:
* Identifying root issues: Starting with a clear understanding of the problem before designing solutions.
* Flexibility: Being willing to pivot and start over if necessary.
* Seeking help: Consulting with experts and peers at all stages.
* Iterating and testing: Continuously improving the design based on user feedback.
Despite the challenges, this process confirmed the value of thorough research, strong personas, and iterative design. The final product is something I am proud of and would use myself, and I believe it has the potential to help many students struggling with anxiety.
