SageSight

Mental Health App Concept

A mental health app concept that validates online mental health content, fosters supportive networks, and personalizes mental health journeys.

Client

Conceptual

Timeline

4 Months

Season

Spring 2024

Focus Areas

prototypes

wireframes

user-research

personalized-design

Tools Used

Figma

Miro

project overview

project summary

SageSight is a concept app designed to promote mental health awareness and accessibility by verifying the accuracy of mental health content on social platforms. Key features include user rating reports, content verification, and curated mental health boards, empowering users to manage their well-being with reliable resources. Developed as part of a senior studio course focused on social good in UX, I chose to center the project on mental health, driven by my commitment to combating misinformation and improving access to trustworthy content.

role summary

As the UX Designer, I led the design process by creating user flows, wireframes, and prototypes, and contributed to UX research and ideation to shape the app’s features.

project summary

SageSight is a concept app designed to promote mental health awareness and accessibility by verifying the accuracy of mental health content on social platforms. Key features include user rating reports, content verification, and curated mental health boards, empowering users to manage their well-being with reliable resources. Developed as part of a senior studio course focused on social good in UX, I chose to center the project on mental health, driven by my commitment to combating misinformation and improving access to trustworthy content.

role summary

As the UX Designer, I led the design process by creating user flows, wireframes, and prototypes, and contributed to UX research and ideation to shape the app’s features.

challenges

Identifying Gaps: Users are overwhelmed by unverified mental health information, struggle to find trustworthy resources due to misinformation, and face increased stress from the cognitive load required to manage and evaluate the available content.

goals

Reimagined Resources: Our primary goals were to enhance inclusivity and accessibility by providing tools that help users find trustworthy resources suited to their needs and learning styles, while also simplifying the process of applying coping strategies without overwhelming them.

outcomes

Integrated Pathways: Promising user testing suggests the app's features would provide an accessible and integrated pathway for adults to better understand and incorporate their mental health journey into their daily routine.

challenges

Identifying Gaps: Users are overwhelmed by unverified mental health information, struggle to find trustworthy resources due to misinformation, and face increased stress from the cognitive load required to manage and evaluate the available content.

goals

Reimagined Resources: Our primary goals were to enhance inclusivity and accessibility by providing tools that help users find trustworthy resources suited to their needs and learning styles, while also simplifying the process of applying coping strategies without overwhelming them.

outcomes

Integrated Pathways: Promising user testing suggests the app's features would provide an accessible and integrated pathway for adults to better understand and incorporate their mental health journey into their daily routine.

defining stakeholders

Our audience and stakeholders for this website include A Spacious Place, the organization's students, the student's caretakers, organization volunteers

defining stakeholders

Our audience and stakeholders for this website include A Spacious Place, the organization's students, the student's caretakers, organization volunteers

Engaged Student Emma

As Emma, a busy student focused on mental health, I need trustworthy, accessible resources that fit my schedule to manage my well-being efficiently.

challenges

Challenges: Finds it difficult to filter out superficial online resources in a limited amount of time.

goals

Goals: Needs reliable mental health information integrated into a supportive community.

Engaged Student Emma

As Emma, a busy student focused on mental health, I need trustworthy, accessible resources that fit my schedule to manage my well-being efficiently.

challenges

Challenges: Finds it difficult to filter out superficial online resources in a limited amount of time.

goals

Goals: Needs reliable mental health information integrated into a supportive community.

Inclusive Advocate Alex


As Alex, an advocate for inclusivity in mental health, I need a platform with diverse resources that supports underrepresented communities to promote systemic change.


challenges

Challenges: Financial constraints and limited access to engaging, unbiased content.

goals

Goals: Needs a platform that elevates diverse voices and provides a supportive community for advocacy.

Inclusive Advocate Alex


As Alex, an advocate for inclusivity in mental health, I need a platform with diverse resources that supports underrepresented communities to promote systemic change.


challenges

Challenges: Financial constraints and limited access to engaging, unbiased content.

goals

Goals: Needs a platform that elevates diverse voices and provides a supportive community for advocacy.

Young Professional Carlos

As Carlos, a young professional dealing with job pressures, I need reliable, visual mental health resources that are easy to access and apply quickly.


challenges


Challenges: Faces social stigma and misinformation, limiting his access to effective mental health support.

goals

Goals: Needs quick access to trustworthy mental health resources that fit his budget and privacy needs.

Young Professional Carlos

As Carlos, a young professional dealing with job pressures, I need reliable, visual mental health resources that are easy to access and apply quickly.


challenges


Challenges: Faces social stigma and misinformation, limiting his access to effective mental health support.

goals

Goals: Needs quick access to trustworthy mental health resources that fit his budget and privacy needs.

Mental Health Influencers and Community Leaders

As leaders in mental health awareness, I need a credible platform to share reliable content and engage audiences effectively.

challenges

Challenges: Balancing audience appeal with credibility and addressing diverse privacy needs.

goals

Goals: Build trust and reach with content that counters misinformation while supporting audience engagement.

Mental Health Influencers and Community Leaders

As leaders in mental health awareness, I need a credible platform to share reliable content and engage audiences effectively.

challenges

Challenges: Balancing audience appeal with credibility and addressing diverse privacy needs.

goals

Goals: Build trust and reach with content that counters misinformation while supporting audience engagement.

Discovery Process

Our discovery journey began with a social good topic of mental health. Through building contextual and landscape understanding we formed our research curiousities, sythisised the insights from our research and used that as a base for defining our solution and then tested our assumptions.

Discovery Process

Our discovery journey began with a social good topic of mental health. Through building contextual and landscape understanding we formed our research curiousities, sythisised the insights from our research and used that as a base for defining our solution and then tested our assumptions.

Context and Market Analysis & Surveys

Our first step was to perform a context and market analysis focused on mental health accessibility, education, and misinformation. We examined existing mental health apps and platforms such as Mind.org, Woebot Health, and Muse, analyzing their user engagement, the resources they provided, and how they addressed mental health issues. In addition, we launched surveys aimed at understanding the mental health concerns of our target audience—ranging from students to young professionals—focusing on their interactions with online mental health content, how they navigate mental health services, and what gaps they perceive in current resources. These insights allowed us to identify significant pain points, such as the overwhelming amount of misinformation on social platforms and the need for reliable, accessible resources.

Context and Market Analysis & Surveys

Our first step was to perform a context and market analysis focused on mental health accessibility, education, and misinformation. We examined existing mental health apps and platforms such as Mind.org, Woebot Health, and Muse, analyzing their user engagement, the resources they provided, and how they addressed mental health issues. In addition, we launched surveys aimed at understanding the mental health concerns of our target audience—ranging from students to young professionals—focusing on their interactions with online mental health content, how they navigate mental health services, and what gaps they perceive in current resources. These insights allowed us to identify significant pain points, such as the overwhelming amount of misinformation on social platforms and the need for reliable, accessible resources.

Synthesis & Solutions

With the data from our surveys and market analysis in hand, we moved into the synthesis phase. We grouped our findings into key insights, such as the importance of trustworthy, validated content and the need for personalized support systems for mental health management. From these insights, we began to brainstorm and ideate on potential solutions. This stage focused on defining the features that would address the core problem: providing users with reliable mental health resources that were easy to access and validate. We aimed to create a solution that not only improved digital literacy but also empowered users to manage their mental health journey with confidence.

Synthesis & Solutions

With the data from our surveys and market analysis in hand, we moved into the synthesis phase. We grouped our findings into key insights, such as the importance of trustworthy, validated content and the need for personalized support systems for mental health management. From these insights, we began to brainstorm and ideate on potential solutions. This stage focused on defining the features that would address the core problem: providing users with reliable mental health resources that were easy to access and validate. We aimed to create a solution that not only improved digital literacy but also empowered users to manage their mental health journey with confidence.

Wireframes and User Flow

Once we defined our solution, we translated it into low-fidelity wireframes and mapped out the user flow to visualize how users would interact with the app. The user flow detailed the journey a user would take—from discovering mental health content, to validating its accuracy, to accessing mental health resources tailored to their needs. We focused on simplicity and ease of use, ensuring that even users unfamiliar with mental health apps could navigate the tool without friction. The wireframes laid out key features such as content verification through user ratings and expert reviews, and a dashboard for tracking mental health goals.

Wireframes and User Flow

Once we defined our solution, we translated it into low-fidelity wireframes and mapped out the user flow to visualize how users would interact with the app. The user flow detailed the journey a user would take—from discovering mental health content, to validating its accuracy, to accessing mental health resources tailored to their needs. We focused on simplicity and ease of use, ensuring that even users unfamiliar with mental health apps could navigate the tool without friction. The wireframes laid out key features such as content verification through user ratings and expert reviews, and a dashboard for tracking mental health goals.

Prototyping & User Testing

In this final discovery phase, we created a high-fidelity prototype of the SageSight app and conducted user testing sessions. Our goal was to validate our assumptions about how users would interact with the app, especially regarding ease of use and the effectiveness of the content verification feature. Feedback from users highlighted the value of having community ratings alongside expert verification to ensure the reliability of mental health information. We also discovered that users appreciated the personalized content recommendations, which were tailored to their specific mental health needs. These insights helped us refine the design and make adjustments before finalizing the product.

Prototyping & User Testing

In this final discovery phase, we created a high-fidelity prototype of the SageSight app and conducted user testing sessions. Our goal was to validate our assumptions about how users would interact with the app, especially regarding ease of use and the effectiveness of the content verification feature. Feedback from users highlighted the value of having community ratings alongside expert verification to ensure the reliability of mental health information. We also discovered that users appreciated the personalized content recommendations, which were tailored to their specific mental health needs. These insights helped us refine the design and make adjustments before finalizing the product.

Challenges Identified

During the development of SageSight, a mental health advocacy app, several key challenges surfaced around content credibility, user personalization, accessibility, and delivering deeper insights to users. These challenges required strategic solutions to ensure that SageSight could empower users to make informed decisions, personalize their mental health journey, provide accessible resources, and uncover insights that support ongoing mental well-being.

Challenges Identified

During the development of SageSight, a mental health advocacy app, several key challenges surfaced around content credibility, user personalization, accessibility, and delivering deeper insights to users. These challenges required strategic solutions to ensure that SageSight could empower users to make informed decisions, personalize their mental health journey, provide accessible resources, and uncover insights that support ongoing mental well-being.

Informed Consumption

One major challenge was ensuring that users could confidently engage with accurate, verified mental health content. With the overwhelming amount of unverified mental health information available online, users struggled to discern credible sources. SageSight aimed to create an environment where users could access verified, reliable content to support their well-being.

Informed Consumption

One major challenge was ensuring that users could confidently engage with accurate, verified mental health content. With the overwhelming amount of unverified mental health information available online, users struggled to discern credible sources. SageSight aimed to create an environment where users could access verified, reliable content to support their well-being.

Personalized Journey

Another challenge was providing a personalized experience that could adapt to each user’s unique mental health journey. Given the diverse needs of users, ranging from young professionals to students, SageSight needed to deliver tailored resources, recommendations, and tools that aligned with each individual’s mental health goals, preferences, and concerns.

Personalized Journey

Another challenge was providing a personalized experience that could adapt to each user’s unique mental health journey. Given the diverse needs of users, ranging from young professionals to students, SageSight needed to deliver tailored resources, recommendations, and tools that aligned with each individual’s mental health goals, preferences, and concerns.

Accessible and Integrated Resources

A significant challenge in developing SageSight was ensuring that mental health resources were accessible not only in terms of usability but also in terms of financial and time considerations. Traditional mental health resources can be expensive, time-consuming, or require in-person visits, which limits access for many users. SageSight needed to provide a solution that was financially affordable, convenient, and available remotely to accommodate users with various resource levels. This focus on accessibility aimed to make mental health support widely available to individuals regardless of their financial, location, or time constraints.

Accessible and Integrated Resources

A significant challenge in developing SageSight was ensuring that mental health resources were accessible not only in terms of usability but also in terms of financial and time considerations. Traditional mental health resources can be expensive, time-consuming, or require in-person visits, which limits access for many users. SageSight needed to provide a solution that was financially affordable, convenient, and available remotely to accommodate users with various resource levels. This focus on accessibility aimed to make mental health support widely available to individuals regardless of their financial, location, or time constraints.

Source Uncertainty

A key challenge was addressing the reliance on social media as a primary source for mental health information, where users frequently encounter unverified or misleading content. Many users need to research and vet media sources themselves, which can be time-consuming and overwhelming. SageSight aimed to create a solution that would help users access reliable mental health content from social platforms without the added burden of independent vetting.

Source Uncertainty

A key challenge was addressing the reliance on social media as a primary source for mental health information, where users frequently encounter unverified or misleading content. Many users need to research and vet media sources themselves, which can be time-consuming and overwhelming. SageSight aimed to create a solution that would help users access reliable mental health content from social platforms without the added burden of independent vetting.

Insights for Iterations

During the development of SageSight, our team identified key insights about how adults interact with mental health resources on social media and the challenges they face in accessing reliable information. These insights led to iterative improvements focused on validating content, addressing misinformation, ensuring time-efficient resources, and providing a personalized experience tailored to individual needs.

Insights for Iterations

During the development of SageSight, our team identified key insights about how adults interact with mental health resources on social media and the challenges they face in accessing reliable information. These insights led to iterative improvements focused on validating content, addressing misinformation, ensuring time-efficient resources, and providing a personalized experience tailored to individual needs.

Adults are Using Social Media as a Resource for Mental Health Information

A core insight revealed that many adults turn to social media for mental health information, yet struggle to find credible resources among a vast array of content. To support users in navigating this landscape, we developed an overlay feature that provides real-time indicators of content credibility, allowing users to quickly assess whether posts have been verified or rated for reliability. This helps users save time and avoid potentially misleading information.

Adults are Using Social Media as a Resource for Mental Health Information

A core insight revealed that many adults turn to social media for mental health information, yet struggle to find credible resources among a vast array of content. To support users in navigating this landscape, we developed an overlay feature that provides real-time indicators of content credibility, allowing users to quickly assess whether posts have been verified or rated for reliability. This helps users save time and avoid potentially misleading information.

Misinformation is a Huge Concern

Misinformation was a significant barrier for users, many of whom expressed concerns about the credibility of social media content related to mental health. To address this, we implemented a community and expert-driven verification system that assigns credibility ratings to posts. This system helps users identify trustworthy content, reducing the impact of misinformation on their mental health journey.

Misinformation is a Huge Concern

Misinformation was a significant barrier for users, many of whom expressed concerns about the credibility of social media content related to mental health. To address this, we implemented a community and expert-driven verification system that assigns credibility ratings to posts. This system helps users identify trustworthy content, reducing the impact of misinformation on their mental health journey.

Time is a Concern

Our research showed that users often felt overwhelmed by the time required to vet mental health content on their own. To make SageSight more time-efficient, we introduced a quick-access repository where users can save reliable resources, access concise summaries, and retrieve frequently used tools. This approach saves users time, providing them with easy access to credible mental health content without the need for constant searching.

Time is a Concern

Our research showed that users often felt overwhelmed by the time required to vet mental health content on their own. To make SageSight more time-efficient, we introduced a quick-access repository where users can save reliable resources, access concise summaries, and retrieve frequently used tools. This approach saves users time, providing them with easy access to credible mental health content without the need for constant searching.

Personalization is a Concern

Personalization was a crucial factor for users, many of whom sought content that reflected their unique mental health needs, goals, and preferences. In response, we developed a profile-based personalization system that recommends resources tailored to each user’s specific mental health journey. This personalized approach allows users to find relevant resources and content that align closely with their goals, reducing information overload and increasing engagement.

Personalization is a Concern

Personalization was a crucial factor for users, many of whom sought content that reflected their unique mental health needs, goals, and preferences. In response, we developed a profile-based personalization system that recommends resources tailored to each user’s specific mental health journey. This personalized approach allows users to find relevant resources and content that align closely with their goals, reducing information overload and increasing engagement.

Product Features

The SageSight app is designed to help users navigate the vast landscape of mental health information with clarity and confidence. By incorporating community-driven ratings, content scanning, and personalized resource collections, SageSight offers a trusted, organized, and user-centered approach to mental health support.

Product Features

The SageSight app is designed to help users navigate the vast landscape of mental health information with clarity and confidence. By incorporating community-driven ratings, content scanning, and personalized resource collections, SageSight offers a trusted, organized, and user-centered approach to mental health support.

User Ratings & Feedback

To foster a trusted environment, SageSight’s community-based User Ratings & Feedback feature allows users to assess the reliability, positivity, and helpfulness of mental health content. This feature enables users to contribute feedback on the information shared within the app, helping to build a network of validated content that users can trust.

User Ratings & Feedback

To foster a trusted environment, SageSight’s community-based User Ratings & Feedback feature allows users to assess the reliability, positivity, and helpfulness of mental health content. This feature enables users to contribute feedback on the information shared within the app, helping to build a network of validated content that users can trust.

Scan Content

With the Scan Content feature, SageSight allows users to quickly assess the credibility of mental health information encountered in their social media feeds. Through a real-time overlay, users can view reliability ratings and see user tags like “verified” or “flagged as misinformation,” reducing cognitive overload and enabling confident engagement with content.

Scan Content

With the Scan Content feature, SageSight allows users to quickly assess the credibility of mental health information encountered in their social media feeds. Through a real-time overlay, users can view reliability ratings and see user tags like “verified” or “flagged as misinformation,” reducing cognitive overload and enabling confident engagement with content.

Collect & Explore

The Collect & Explore feature empowers users to create personalized boards of saved mental health content, giving them a dedicated space to revisit and organize resources that resonate with them. This customized approach enables users to compile supportive content that aligns with their mental health journey, making it easily accessible for ongoing engagement.

Collect & Explore

The Collect & Explore feature empowers users to create personalized boards of saved mental health content, giving them a dedicated space to revisit and organize resources that resonate with them. This customized approach enables users to compile supportive content that aligns with their mental health journey, making it easily accessible for ongoing engagement.

Outcomes and Expectations

As a concept app, SageSight is designed to address gaps in mental health resource access, reduce misinformation, and provide an integrated, personalized experience for users. While hypothetical, these outcomes represent the potential impact SageSight could have on users by offering a more credible, accessible, and tailored mental health support platform.

Outcomes and Expectations

As a concept app, SageSight is designed to address gaps in mental health resource access, reduce misinformation, and provide an integrated, personalized experience for users. While hypothetical, these outcomes represent the potential impact SageSight could have on users by offering a more credible, accessible, and tailored mental health support platform.

Improved Access to Mental Health Resources

By centralizing community-reviewed mental health content and making it easy for users to find trustworthy resources, SageSight is expected to improve access to reliable information. With tools like personalized resource boards and content ratings, users can quickly discover credible resources that align with their unique needs. This enhanced access to vetted information is likely to support users in building a mental health toolkit they can return to consistently, contributing to a more stable and informed journey.

Reduced Misinformation Exposure

One of SageSight’s primary goals is to reduce users’ exposure to misinformation by providing real-time reliability ratings on mental health content within their social media feeds. By empowering users to identify and flag inaccurate information, SageSight encourages a community-driven approach to quality control. This feature could lead to a decrease in misinformation spread, ultimately fostering a safer digital environment for mental health discussions and ensuring users can trust the resources they engage with.

Integrated and Personalized Mental Health Support

With personalized boards and tailored content recommendations, SageSight would offer a highly integrated and individualized experience, allowing users to save and organize content that directly resonates with their mental health needs. This personalized approach would likely increase user engagement with mental health resources, making it easier for users to incorporate credible content into their daily lives. As users build and revisit their personalized boards, they are expected to experience a more cohesive and supportive mental health journey.

Improved Access to Mental Health Resources

By centralizing community-reviewed mental health content and making it easy for users to find trustworthy resources, SageSight is expected to improve access to reliable information. With tools like personalized resource boards and content ratings, users can quickly discover credible resources that align with their unique needs. This enhanced access to vetted information is likely to support users in building a mental health toolkit they can return to consistently, contributing to a more stable and informed journey.

Reduced Misinformation Exposure

One of SageSight’s primary goals is to reduce users’ exposure to misinformation by providing real-time reliability ratings on mental health content within their social media feeds. By empowering users to identify and flag inaccurate information, SageSight encourages a community-driven approach to quality control. This feature could lead to a decrease in misinformation spread, ultimately fostering a safer digital environment for mental health discussions and ensuring users can trust the resources they engage with.

Integrated and Personalized Mental Health Support

With personalized boards and tailored content recommendations, SageSight would offer a highly integrated and individualized experience, allowing users to save and organize content that directly resonates with their mental health needs. This personalized approach would likely increase user engagement with mental health resources, making it easier for users to incorporate credible content into their daily lives. As users build and revisit their personalized boards, they are expected to experience a more cohesive and supportive mental health journey.

Project Status + Priorities

Our capstone project for the UX for Social Good course has reached its conclusion. To evolve this conceptual project into a viable product, securing funding and collaborating with experts in mental health, marketing, and technology development are imperative. Given the sensitive nature of mental health solutions, it is crucial to approach this with rigorous ethical standards and practical feasibility considerations. Employing AI for content analysis and categorization would require extensive input from subject matter experts to ensure our solutions are ethical, effective, and grounded in real-world applicability.

Project Status + Priorities

Our capstone project for the UX for Social Good course has reached its conclusion. To evolve this conceptual project into a viable product, securing funding and collaborating with experts in mental health, marketing, and technology development are imperative. Given the sensitive nature of mental health solutions, it is crucial to approach this with rigorous ethical standards and practical feasibility considerations. Employing AI for content analysis and categorization would require extensive input from subject matter experts to ensure our solutions are ethical, effective, and grounded in real-world applicability.

high priority

  • Securing Initial Funding: Obtain financial resources necessary for project development and expert consultation.


  • Engaging Mental Health Professionals: Ensure the solution is informed by current clinical practices and sensitive to patient needs.


  • Prototype Development: Develop an initial prototype to begin small-scale testing and iteration based on feedback.

medium priority

  • Partnerships with Technology Experts: Collaborate with AI and tech development specialists to build a robust system capable of handling sensitive data with precision.


  • Marketing Strategy Development: Craft a marketing approach that respectfully and effectively communicates the product's benefits to target users.

low priority

  • Expanding Market Research: Further understand the broader market and potential additional user bases after establishing initial product viability.


  • Long-term Funding Strategies: Explore additional funding avenues and partnerships for sustained growth and scalability.

high priority

  • Securing Initial Funding: Obtain financial resources necessary for project development and expert consultation.


  • Engaging Mental Health Professionals: Ensure the solution is informed by current clinical practices and sensitive to patient needs.


  • Prototype Development: Develop an initial prototype to begin small-scale testing and iteration based on feedback.

medium priority

  • Partnerships with Technology Experts: Collaborate with AI and tech development specialists to build a robust system capable of handling sensitive data with precision.


  • Marketing Strategy Development: Craft a marketing approach that respectfully and effectively communicates the product's benefits to target users.

low priority

  • Expanding Market Research: Further understand the broader market and potential additional user bases after establishing initial product viability.


  • Long-term Funding Strategies: Explore additional funding avenues and partnerships for sustained growth and scalability.

Reflection + Takeaways

reflect

During this project, our team was deeply engaged in research and analysis, which was both challenging and immensely rewarding. By prioritizing a deep understanding of our target market, audience, and community, we were able to develop a creative and potentially impactful solution aimed at supporting individuals in their mental health journeys. Collaborating closely with fellow students, we embraced a broad, outward-looking approach that fueled our innovative thinking and design process.

learn

This conceptual project, while limited by time and resources, highlighted several critical insights. One significant realization was the importance of grounding our solution in real-world applicability, despite the absence of extensive testing or a final product launch.

reflect

During this project, our team was deeply engaged in research and analysis, which was both challenging and immensely rewarding. By prioritizing a deep understanding of our target market, audience, and community, we were able to develop a creative and potentially impactful solution aimed at supporting individuals in their mental health journeys. Collaborating closely with fellow students, we embraced a broad, outward-looking approach that fueled our innovative thinking and design process.

learn

This conceptual project, while limited by time and resources, highlighted several critical insights. One significant realization was the importance of grounding our solution in real-world applicability, despite the absence of extensive testing or a final product launch.