Mental Health x International Students. A Digital Solution.
Being an international student in Canada has been an incredible journey, but it hasn’t been without its share of mental health challenges. This case study is an exploration of my struggles with mental health during my academic pursuit in Canada and how those experiences inspired the creation of a mental well-being app tailored to the needs of international students like myself.
Background
The increasing number of international students in Canada enriches the educational landscape, but the road to academic success is often paved with the difficulties of adjusting to a new culture, managing academic pressures, and dealing with the emotional strain of being away from home. In this case study, I share my own experiences and shed light on the need for targeted mental health support for international students.
Project Overview
This case study highlights the design of mental wellbeing app, with a particular focus on international students as the chosen target audience by employing the Combine, Adapt and Modify techniques of the SCAMPER method to propose 3 different concepts.
What’s SCAMPER?
SCAMPER refers to a series of thought sparkers or provocations which help you to innovate on an existing product, service or situation by looking through different lenses. There are seven provocation lenses in the SCAMPER method:
Read in detail here https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/learn-how-to-use-the-best-ideation-methods-scamper
Concept 1 — Combine
Features like gaming, reading books, watching movies will be combined into a single app. Also, integrate social features to allow students interact
By Combining these features together into a single app and including social features, we can design an interactive and engaging multipurpose app for International Students.
Features:
Merged Dashboard: Designing a central dashboard for easy access to games, movies, and books from a single interface.
Library and Content Management: A user-friendly library implemented, where students can organize their books, movies, and games in a particular place.
Gaming Feature: A broad variety and genre of games will be offered within the app
Social Integration: this feature will be implemented in the app as an idea of building a community for students.
Notification System: A notification system will be implemented to alert users about activities and updates, mostly related to their friends and favorite content.
Concept 2 — Community
Features:
Learning Languages: Those who are learning English or French as a second language can benefit from stress-reduction techniques and mindfulness practices.
Peer Support Groups: Creating sub-communities or groups specifically for international students can facilitate peer support, allowing them to connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges.
Academic Advisors and Student Services: University or college staff, including academic advisors and student services professionals
Counselors and Mental Health Professionals: Mental health professionals working on campus or in the community who can use the app as a supplementary tool to support international students’ mental health needs.
Concept 3- Modify
Integration of a crisis support feature within mental wellbeing apps to address the specific needs of international students. This feature will offer immediate assistance during moments of severe distress.
Features:
Multilingual Crisis Helpline: Users will have access to a 24/7 helpline staffed by trained professionals who can provide support in multiple languages.
Geolocation-Based Resources: The app will use geolocation data to recommend nearby crisis intervention centers, healthcare facilities.
Cultural Sensitivity: The crisis support feature will be culturally sensitive, acknowledging the unique stressors and stigmas faced by international students. Teletherapy sessions will be tailored to address cultural nuances, fostering trust and understanding between the user and the support network.
Immediate Translation Services: To bridge language barriers, the app will offer real-time translation services for text-based communication between users and crisis support personnel.
Conclusion
This case study is not just a documentation of challenges; it’s a testament to the power of personal experiences in driving positive change. By sharing my journey, I hope to provide valuable insights into the mental health challenges faced by my peers and highlight the potential of innovative solutions like the mental well-being app to make a lasting impact.
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Thankyou for reading!!
