PROJECT OVERVIEW
TRIGGER WARNING! This case study mentions suicide and may be distressing for sensitive readers.
Task
In collaboration with psychiatrists and mental health advocates, including parents of individuals within our target group, we designed a digital tool to support young people aged 13–25 in ongoing therapy. The primary aim of the project is to provide early support and contribute to suicide prevention.
Task
In collaboration with psychiatrists and mental health advocates, including parents of individuals within our target group, we designed a digital tool to support young people aged 13–25 in ongoing therapy. The primary aim of the project is to provide early support and contribute to suicide prevention.
Task
In collaboration with psychiatrists and mental health advocates, including parents of individuals within our target group, we designed a digital tool to support young people aged 13–25 in ongoing therapy. The primary aim of the project is to provide early support and contribute to suicide prevention.
ROLE
We facilitated focus groups and conducted a literature review on designing for teenagers and vulnerable users. We translated expert input into empathetic, research-based design decisions that met the needs of the target group.
Research
Focus Groups
Literature review
Competitor Analysis
Focus Groups
Literature review
Competitor Analysis
Due to sensitive project details, this case study is presented with limitations.
challenges
Avoiding emotional triggers
Many digital tools for reflection can unintentionally pressure users to confront or analyze their feelings in ways that can feel overwhelming, especially for someone in a vulnerable state. We had to carefully choose language, color, and structure to avoid this.
Avoiding emotional triggers
Many digital tools for reflection can unintentionally pressure users to confront or analyze their feelings in ways that can feel overwhelming, especially for someone in a vulnerable state. We had to carefully choose language, color, and structure to avoid this.
Avoiding emotional triggers
Many digital tools for reflection can unintentionally pressure users to confront or analyze their feelings in ways that can feel overwhelming, especially for someone in a vulnerable state. We had to carefully choose language, color, and structure to avoid this.
Supporting, not replacing, therapy
The app isn't meant to treat users on its own, it is meant to support them between therapy sessions. That means resisting the urge to be overly analytical or solution-oriented. We needed to leave space for the therapist-patient relationship to remain central.
Supporting, not replacing, therapy
The app isn't meant to treat users on its own, it is meant to support them between therapy sessions. That means resisting the urge to be overly analytical or solution-oriented. We needed to leave space for the therapist-patient relationship to remain central.
Supporting, not replacing, therapy
The app isn't meant to treat users on its own, it is meant to support them between therapy sessions. That means resisting the urge to be overly analytical or solution-oriented. We needed to leave space for the therapist-patient relationship to remain central.
Encouraging sharing without pressure
Encouraging youths to share their emotional state with trusted adults had to be handled with consent, care, and clarity. We had to make this feature feel like a safe opportunity, not a forced action. That included a safe structure where the user feels in control of what is shared and when.
Less is more
When someone is in a highly emotional or stressed state, their cognitive load is much lower. The app needed to be simplistic, easy to use, accessible and incredibly intuitive.
Less is more
When someone is in a highly emotional or stressed state, their cognitive load is much lower. The app needed to be simplistic, easy to use, accessible and incredibly intuitive.
Less is more
When someone is in a highly emotional or stressed state, their cognitive load is much lower. The app needed to be simplistic, easy to use, accessible and incredibly intuitive.
key solutions
01 /
Emotion diary
Users log how they feel through picking one of the five graphic elements representing emotions on a scale from very good to bad. Afterwards, they can optionally write a diary note. The diary note should be non-directional to not trigger self-analysis, more than on the user's own initiative. Therefore, instead of asking for example “Why do you feel this way?”, the diary is neutrally labeled “Diary Note”.
01 /
Emotion diary
Users log how they feel through picking one of the five graphic elements representing emotions on a scale from very good to bad. Afterwards, they can optionally write a diary note. The diary note should be non-directional to not trigger self-analysis, more than on the user's own initiative. Therefore, instead of asking for example “Why do you feel this way?”, the diary is neutrally labeled “Diary Note”.
01 /
Emotion diary
Users log how they feel through picking one of the five graphic elements representing emotions on a scale from very good to bad. Afterwards, they can optionally write a diary note. The diary note should be non-directional to not trigger self-analysis, more than on the user's own initiative. Therefore, instead of asking for example “Why do you feel this way?”, the diary is neutrally labeled “Diary Note”.
02 /
Sharing with trusted adults
Users can connect parents or trusted adults, and choose to share diary entries with them. Encrypted chat allows safe conversations about emotional states.
02 /
Sharing with trusted adults
Users can connect parents or trusted adults, and choose to share diary entries with them. Encrypted chat allows safe conversations about emotional states.
02 /
Sharing with trusted adults
Users can connect parents or trusted adults, and choose to share diary entries with them. Encrypted chat allows safe conversations about emotional states.
03 /
DiGiTalised Security Plan
Based on existing therapeutic frameworks.
Includes user-defined coping strategies and triggers.
Easily accessible when in emotional distress.
04 /
Supportive Nudges
If a user logs a negative emotion in their diary, they’re gently prompted to view their security plan after sharing their feelings. The first priority is to help the user connect with their support network. Therefore, the interface first facilitates the option to notify a trusted adult by sharing the diary entry. Only after this action does the app suggest that the user may want to consult their security plan for personal coping strategies.
04 /
Supportive Nudges
If a user logs a negative emotion in their diary, they’re gently prompted to view their security plan after sharing their feelings. The first priority is to help the user connect with their support network. Therefore, the interface first facilitates the option to notify a trusted adult by sharing the diary entry. Only after this action does the app suggest that the user may want to consult their security plan for personal coping strategies.
04 /
Supportive Nudges
If a user logs a negative emotion in their diary, they’re gently prompted to view their security plan after sharing their feelings. The first priority is to help the user connect with their support network. Therefore, the interface first facilitates the option to notify a trusted adult by sharing the diary entry. Only after this action does the app suggest that the user may want to consult their security plan for personal coping strategies.
05 /
Mood statistics
Combined dot-, and linegraphs helps the users and the therapists track progress together. The graph is complicated, making it intentionally harder for a child to analyse it on their own, and the graph is more hidden than other features.
05 /
Mood statistics
Combined dot-, and linegraphs helps the users and the therapists track progress together. The graph is complicated, making it intentionally harder for a child to analyse it on their own, and the graph is more hidden than other features.
05 /
Mood statistics
Combined dot-, and linegraphs helps the users and the therapists track progress together. The graph is complicated, making it intentionally harder for a child to analyse it on their own, and the graph is more hidden than other features.
06 /
Showcasing how emotions change with time
The graph avoids clinical or diagnostic language and instead promotes emotional literacy by reflecting the natural fluctuation of feelings over time.
06 /
Showcasing how emotions change with time
The graph avoids clinical or diagnostic language and instead promotes emotional literacy by reflecting the natural fluctuation of feelings over time.
06 /
Showcasing how emotions change with time
The graph avoids clinical or diagnostic language and instead promotes emotional literacy by reflecting the natural fluctuation of feelings over time.
IF SUCCESSFUL, THE PRODUCT WILL..
Open up conversations
Encourage healthier communication between youths and caregivers.
Open up conversations
Encourage healthier communication between youths and caregivers.
Open up conversations
Encourage healthier communication between youths and caregivers.
Support therapy
Help therapists support patients more effectively.
HELP savING lives
Reduce preventable tragedies by offering support.
More projects.
Social:
Location:
Gothenburg, Sweden
6:07:40 PM
Contact
sofia.joelson1@gmail.com
+46 704 833 123
©2025 Sofia Joelson
Social:
Location:
Gothenburg, Sweden
6:07:40 PM
Contact:
sofia.joelson1@gmail.com
+46 704 833 123
©2025 Sofia Joelson