Designing an innovative virtual therapy platform, by better understanding and addressing the barriers to mental health
CHALLENGE
Challenges in the space of mental health are multifaceted and significant:
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Many people don't seek help for mental health problems until it's very late, because of the “non-physical’’ nature of the problem
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Those who do seek help often find it hard to get it quickly and easily.
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The high cost of therapy and psychiatric services makes people hesitant to spend money, especially when they're not sure about the treatment they'll receive.
DURATION
6 Months
IMMEDIATE TEAM
Design: David Katz
PM: Nikita Nir, Jeremy Neuman
Research: Marie Mika
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy: Supported the PM team in identifying gaps in the current product offering, and defined the roadmap.
Research: Leveraged qualitative research to do a deep dive into understanding the barriers to entry, and used the key learnings to inform the product roadmap
Design: Designed a responsive virtual therapy platform, allowing members to schedule therapy/psychiatry visits. In support of the therapy platform, developed innovative tools to combat social stigma, alleviate financial barriers, and provide ongoing support for members, bridging the gap between therapy sessions.
TOOLS
Research: Contextual Inquiry, Empathy Mapping, Service Blueprinting
Design: Figma
User Testing: Qualitative Interviews and Observation
"In our individualistic society, taking care of our mental well-being is like mixing a personalized cocktail. When asked about their behavioral health practices, our participants shared a blend of religious and secular methods, creating their unique self-care routines."
01.
Understand the mental health journey
02.
Identify opportunities through barriers to entry
03.
Build an easy to use platform for virtual visits
04.
Enhance platform with tools outside of the visit
05.
Learn from members and update
Process
Phase 1: Discovery Research
Understanding the mental health journey, key motivators and drop off points
The mental health journey
Peoples’ BH experiences are often complex and non-linear, the conditions they’re coping with today are a snapshot in time of the totality they’ve had over a lifetime.
"Precipitating events" are key events in peoples journeys - the moment one realizes one needs help. They range from subdued solitary events such as reading a blog post to frightening physiological events, such as an extreme panic attack
"Transition people" are those who help others to realize that they need BH help and/or to de-stigmatize it —and are key to many people’s BH journeys.
Phase 2: Design
Connecting members with therapists and psychiatrists virtually
How might we..
Address BH stigma?
Educate 'transition people' on the framings that would be most effective for their partners/children?
Help people during, and in recognizing, precipitating events?
Acknowledge and neutralize prior negative therapeutic experiences?
Enable our BH providers to be present, attentive, and compassionate during the first visit?
Phase 3
Creating tools that support a member between visits
I would love to chat more regarding my in-depth process.
If you're interested, please contact me at tithi.jasani93@gmail.com or using the form below.