Tokki
Self-isolation Mental Health Tool
Stages
(UI/UX, Project Management, Research)
User research, concept direction, prototyping, wireframing, concept strategy, visual identity, visual design
The Challenge
During self-isolation, both seeing friends and accessing in-person therapists can be challenging.
Mental health was a prominent topic during lockdown.
The current existing system for group therapy may not be favorable for those seeking it anyways.
How can we improve social interactions and therapy for those who are self-isolating?
Supporting adults in isolation:
Flexible therapy and rebuilding social connections.
User Interviews
Answers given by 10 adults ages of 20 - 30 to learn about
their experience with mental health during self-isolation.
Some are college students or college graduates with/without
experience going to therapy.
The conclusion of the responses received are:
Stressful search for a new approach to mental health care
Lack of friend support system, especially during therapy
Various therapy practices lack compassion (or is robotic)
Interview to Archetype
Meet Eden
A busy college student who used to attend weekly counseling.
She is very close with her small group of friends but lost connection due to self-isolation restraints.
Eden has found happiness in taking care of her mental health and uses Tokki to help herself develop healthy habits.
Competitive Analysis
Top Mental Health Apps in App Store.
Why do their users enjoy these apps for mental health care?
Why do some look the other way for mental health?
Are they too clinical?
After reading user reviews, and using the products myself:
Field Research
According to the CDC, in the United States:
Increased rates of adverse mental health conditions, substance use, and suicidal ideation
In the second quarter of 2019, Anxiety disorder was approximately 3x more prevalent
In the second quarter of 2019, depressive disorder was approximately 4x more prevalent
According to The Outline, in group therapy there can be:
Dominance of outspoken individuals, leading to the unnoticed or unreported negative consequences of inadequate treatment
Emotional tactics to silence victims of abuse and encourage the victim to blame themselves
Abusers who feel entitled to receive support rather than give it
Conceptualize
Information Architecture
With the main ideas identified, I then created an information architecture to find ways to build the features together to create a product.
Wireframing
After the navigation of the product was built, I created wireframes to visualize the user flow. I wanted to focus on the communication style, to bring a sense of comfort.
Profile Creation
After building my wireframes, I felt like everything felt too clinical and robotic. It felt like a doctor questionnaire — not like a calming conversation. So I shifted to a different perspective.
Moving on from my wireframes, I worked toward a conversational way in getting to know the user to best understand their needs, struggles, and preferences. There’s no pressure for users to upload a photo of themselves, and they can instead choose from smiley pre-made doodles.
Personalize Your Audience
For those who want friendly support during therapy sessions. Bubble buddies are a customizable support system of up to 10 closest friends to join in on a session if they want to understand what their friend is going through or to join in on the discussion.
The group therapy calls are focused on the user’s struggles, but can be opened up to being a group therapy call that includes help for users’ friends if the user chooses to open up the discussion.
For You Page
Users are able to navigate to their therapy options and group activities, along with their profile if they need to edit their preferences. Users also receive a self-care highlight that allows them to view self-care features or activities they have yet to try out. The bottom of the screen indicates resources for life-threatening emergencies and mental health hotlines.
Eden’s User Flow
Users like Eden can browse through various therapists and apply filters to find one they feel most comfortable with. Eden prefers a therapist who identifies as she/her and appreciates the option to choose someone whose schedule aligns with hers. By viewing the therapist's current activity and reply rate, she selects one who is responsive and available.
Eden is drawn to therapist Alexis' welcoming profile and initiates a chat. From there, she can sync her notes, arrange a solo or group call, or continue messaging. Eden opts for a group call with Alexis, scheduling it at a time convenient for all participants.
Style Guide
Friendly Illustrations
Serene colors and friendly illustrations were used to give a more personal experience.
Interactive Prototype
The interactive prototype can be accessed here via InVision.
Takeaway
Human interaction is important for our mental health, and it’s difficult to navigate a time when you suddenly get left in the dark scrambling to find solutions. Whether it’s socializing with friends or speaking with your therapist, they’re all forms of socializing that can nurture.