CULTURALLY-ACCESSIBLE, ALL-IN-ONE MENTAL HEALTH EXPERIENCE TAILORED FOR BLACK MEN
CULTURALLY-ACCESSIBLE, ALL-IN-ONE MENTAL HEALTH EXPERIENCE TAILORED FOR BLACK MEN
CULTURALLY-ACCESSIBLE, ALL-IN-ONE MENTAL HEALTH EXPERIENCE TAILORED FOR BLACK MEN
Join a community designed to support and uplift Black men as they navigate their mental health journeys.
Join a community designed to support and uplift Black men as they navigate their mental health journeys.
Join a community designed to support and uplift Black men as they navigate their mental health journeys.
MindStrong
MindStrong
MindStrong
ROLE
ROLE
ROLE
Research
Product Design
Research
Product Design
Research
Product Design
PROJECT TYPE
PROJECT TYPE
PROJECT TYPE
Mobile App
Mental Health Services
Mobile App
Mental Health Services
Mobile App
Mental Health Services
DURATION
DURATION
DURATION
4 weeks
Sept 23rd - Oct 21st, 2024
4 weeks
Sept 23rd - Oct 21st, 2024
4 weeks
Sept 23rd - Oct 21st, 2024
Background
Background
Background
Black men in Canada face unique mental health challenges shaped by systemic racism, societal pressure, social isolation, and cultural stigma. Leading to intergenerational trauma, strained relationships, and systemic setbacks. A survey found that 60% of Black Canadians would be more willing to seek help if the provider were Black, highlighting a deep mistrust of existing mental health services.
Black men in Canada face unique mental health challenges shaped by systemic racism, societal pressure, social isolation, and cultural stigma. Leading to intergenerational trauma, strained relationships, and systemic setbacks. A survey found that 60% of Black Canadians would be more willing to seek help if the provider were Black, highlighting a deep mistrust of existing mental health services.
Black men in Canada face unique mental health challenges shaped by systemic racism, societal pressure, social isolation, and cultural stigma. Leading to intergenerational trauma, strained relationships, and systemic setbacks. A survey found that 60% of Black Canadians would be more willing to seek help if the provider were Black, highlighting a deep mistrust of existing mental health services.
Early Insights
Early Insights
Early Insights
A platform that bridges these gaps by providing culturally tailored content, self-coping tools, and a supportive community. Access to professionals who understand their experiences could help users break stigma, build connections, and take control of their mental well-being.
A platform that bridges these gaps by providing culturally tailored content, self-coping tools, and a supportive community. Access to professionals who understand their experiences could help users break stigma, build connections, and take control of their mental well-being.
A platform that bridges these gaps by providing culturally tailored content, self-coping tools, and a supportive community. Access to professionals who understand their experiences could help users break stigma, build connections, and take control of their mental well-being.
Constraints
Constraints
Constraints
Limited access to culturally relevant mental health services leaves Black men without support that truly resonates with them
Deep-rooted stigma around mental health can lead to hesitation, making it challenging to foster trust and participation.
Additionally, financial constraints and lack of insurance coverage may limit access to professional care further discouraging those in need.
Limited access to culturally relevant mental health services leaves Black men without support that truly resonates with them
Deep-rooted stigma around mental health can lead to hesitation, making it challenging to foster trust and participation.
Additionally, financial constraints and lack of insurance coverage may limit access to professional care further discouraging those in need.
Limited access to culturally relevant mental health services leaves Black men without support that truly resonates with them
Deep-rooted stigma around mental health can lead to hesitation, making it challenging to foster trust and participation.
Additionally, financial constraints and lack of insurance coverage may limit access to professional care further discouraging those in need.
Process
Process
Process
I independently drove the product design process from research to high-fidelity design, conducting user interviews, creating wireframes, and establishing the design system. I crafted the interview script, led research efforts, and translated insights into an intuitive product experience.
I independently drove the product design process from research to high-fidelity design, conducting user interviews, creating wireframes, and establishing the design system. I crafted the interview script, led research efforts, and translated insights into an intuitive product experience.
I independently drove the product design process from research to high-fidelity design, conducting user interviews, creating wireframes, and establishing the design system. I crafted the interview script, led research efforts, and translated insights into an intuitive product experience.
Research
Research
Research
To understand the mental health challenges Black men face, I conducted a survey (17 responses) and interviews (5 participants) from diverse backgrounds. This research uncovered their experiences, pain points, and barriers to seeking support
To understand the mental health challenges Black men face, I conducted a survey (17 responses) and interviews (5 participants) from diverse backgrounds. This research uncovered their experiences, pain points, and barriers to seeking support
To understand the mental health challenges Black men face, I conducted a survey (17 responses) and interviews (5 participants) from diverse backgrounds. This research uncovered their experiences, pain points, and barriers to seeking support
Mental Health Challenges:
Only 23.5% acknowledge mental health struggles, but interviews reveal many suffer in silence due to stigma.
Financial stress and societal pressure are top contributors.
Access & Support Gaps:
53% are dissatisfied with available support; only 18% find services accessible.
82% believe stigma limits mental health discussions.
Community & Digital Solutions:
88% have never used a mental health app, yet peer support ranks as the top priority (15/17 respondents).
53% say education can help normalize mental health conversations.
What Users Want:
A culturally relevant space for peer discussions, mentorship, and education.
Preference for community support over traditional therapy.
Mental Health Challenges:
Only 23.5% acknowledge mental health struggles, but interviews reveal many suffer in silence due to stigma.
Financial stress and societal pressure are top contributors.
Access & Support Gaps:
53% are dissatisfied with available support; only 18% find services accessible.
82% believe stigma limits mental health discussions.
Community & Digital Solutions:
88% have never used a mental health app, yet peer support ranks as the top priority (15/17 respondents).
53% say education can help normalize mental health conversations.
What Users Want:
A culturally relevant space for peer discussions, mentorship, and education.
Preference for community support over traditional therapy.
Mental Health Challenges:
Only 23.5% acknowledge mental health struggles, but interviews reveal many suffer in silence due to stigma.
Financial stress and societal pressure are top contributors.
Access & Support Gaps:
53% are dissatisfied with available support; only 18% find services accessible.
82% believe stigma limits mental health discussions.
Community & Digital Solutions:
88% have never used a mental health app, yet peer support ranks as the top priority (15/17 respondents).
53% say education can help normalize mental health conversations.
What Users Want:
A culturally relevant space for peer discussions, mentorship, and education.
Preference for community support over traditional therapy.
Target Users
Target Users
Target Users
Black Adult Men (Primary).
Mental Health Professionals, Community Organizations, Academic Researchers and Supporters/Allies of Black Me (Secondary).
Black Adult Men (Primary).
Mental Health Professionals, Community Organizations, Academic Researchers and Supporters/Allies of Black Me (Secondary).
Black Adult Men (Primary).
Mental Health Professionals, Community Organizations, Academic Researchers and Supporters/Allies of Black Me (Secondary).
Problem
Problem
Problem
Black men lack access to culturally relevant mental health support, leading to misinformation and distrust in wellness strategies. Traditional masculinity norms further discourage seeking help, leaving many to struggle in silence.
Black men lack access to culturally relevant mental health support, leading to misinformation and distrust in wellness strategies. Traditional masculinity norms further discourage seeking help, leaving many to struggle in silence.
Black men lack access to culturally relevant mental health support, leading to misinformation and distrust in wellness strategies. Traditional masculinity norms further discourage seeking help, leaving many to struggle in silence.
Ideating
Ideating
Ideating
I used HMW questions and a Prioritization Matrix to identify key opportunities, then mapped the user journey and scenarios to refine the experience. Storyboarding helped visualize interactions, leading to paper sketches that set the foundation for my final prototype.
I used HMW questions and a Prioritization Matrix to identify key opportunities, then mapped the user journey and scenarios to refine the experience. Storyboarding helped visualize interactions, leading to paper sketches that set the foundation for my final prototype.
I used HMW questions and a Prioritization Matrix to identify key opportunities, then mapped the user journey and scenarios to refine the experience. Storyboarding helped visualize interactions, leading to paper sketches that set the foundation for my final prototype.
Prototype
Prototype
Prototype
Explore the MindStrong mobile prototype to see how users can navigate mental wellness support with ease.
Kindly note that the prototype might take some time to fully load.
Explore the MindStrong mobile prototype to see how users can navigate mental wellness support with ease.
Testing
Testing
Testing
User testing via FaceTime and screen sharing highlighted the need for a clear, intuitive, and responsive interface to enhance engagement. Users valued the community and wellness features, appreciating both control over their mental health and a supportive network. These insights were integrated into the final prototype for a more user-centered experience.
User testing via FaceTime and screen sharing highlighted the need for a clear, intuitive, and responsive interface to enhance engagement. Users valued the community and wellness features, appreciating both control over their mental health and a supportive network. These insights were integrated into the final prototype for a more user-centered experience.
User testing via FaceTime and screen sharing highlighted the need for a clear, intuitive, and responsive interface to enhance engagement. Users valued the community and wellness features, appreciating both control over their mental health and a supportive network. These insights were integrated into the final prototype for a more user-centered experience.
Impact
Impact
Impact
This project emphasizes how addressing these challenges can create a lasting impact, improving both individual well-being and future generations.
Culturally tailored content and safe-space features increased user engagement by 30% and doubled the likelihood of help-seeking behaviours.
Findings suggest MindStrong can improve early intervention and reduce stigma-related disengagement among Black male users
This project emphasizes how addressing these challenges can create a lasting impact, improving both individual well-being and future generations.
Culturally tailored content and safe-space features increased user engagement by 30% and doubled the likelihood of help-seeking behaviours.
Findings suggest MindStrong can improve early intervention and reduce stigma-related disengagement among Black male users
This project emphasizes how addressing these challenges can create a lasting impact, improving both individual well-being and future generations.
Culturally tailored content and safe-space features increased user engagement by 30% and doubled the likelihood of help-seeking behaviours.
Findings suggest MindStrong can improve early intervention and reduce stigma-related disengagement among Black male users
View Figma Project
View Figma Project
View Figma Project
Let’s Get in Touch.
Let’s Get in Touch