Melanin Oasis
Overview
This case study explores the comprehensive product design journey of Melanin Oasis, a mental health application dedicated to providing emotional and physical support to people of color throughout their lives. Covering the entire process from ideation to user research, interface design, and prototype development, the study showcases pivotal insights, challenges, and solutions in crafting a holistic and inclusive digital platform for mental well-being.
Timeframe: 2022
My Role: Lead UX Researcher + Designer
Problem: Black people face significant barriers in accessing mental health support due to a lack of dedicated resources, qualified therapists, and safe spaces tailored to address their unique experiences and needs within the context of their racial identity.
Approach: The approach comprised conducting focus groups {10 people}, user interviews {20 people} , and a survey { Google Form Survey} to gauge users' comfort levels regarding individual therapy versus group therapy and their thoughts on the matter.
Methods Utilized: Generative Research, Persona Development, Rapid Prototyping, User Testing, Competitive Analysis and Affinity Mapping.
Problem Statement:
Black people lack mental health resources, therapists, and a safe space that caters specifically to their individual experiences as black people.
They need to address deep-seated internal and external issues that pertain to their community and identity as black individuals that often get overlooked.
How it Started
Mental Health has always been a subject near and dear to my heart. In the past it’s been difficult for me to find a therapist that could truly understand my Black experience. I always felt a disconnect with previous therapists.
Themes that emerged during interviews
During user interviews, it became clear Black people seeking to make their mental health a priority-find it difficult to access mental health resources. Here are some of the challenges they expressed :
Relating to their therapist
Difficulty finding a Black therapist in their area
Finding affordable talk therapy
Identifying resources
Locating a safe space to communicate their feelings
“The relationship and communication between a person and their mental health provider is a key aspect of treatment. It’s very important for a person to feel that their identity is understood by their provider in order to receive the best possible support and care”
Numbers Don’t Lie
“ Compared with whites with the same symptoms, African Americans are more frequently diagnosed with schizophrenia and less frequently diagnosed with mood disorders. Differences in how African Americans express symptoms of emotional distress may contribute to misdiagnosis. “
- American Psychiatric Association
“63% of African Americans believe that a mental health condition is a personal sign of weakness. This stigma can act as a deterrent from people seeking mental health care when they need it. “
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
One of many methods utilized: Affinity Mapping
As part of the research phase, I conducted user interviews with 10 people.
After the interviews, I organized the information using an affinity diagram to identify themes and patterns.
Key Findings Break-Down
Themes that emerged during interviews:
During user interviews, it became clear Black people seeking to make their mental health a priority-find it difficult to access mental health resources. Here are some of the challenges they expressed :
Relating to their therapist
Difficulty finding a Black therapist in their area
Finding affordable talk therapy
Identifying resources
Locating a safe space to communicate their feelings
Testimonials From Users
Competitive Analysis: Once I had a firm grasp of the users’ needs I researched and measured these needs against competitors.
Persona Development:
Using the feedback from the user interviews conducted- I was able to pinpoint the main user.
Black adults between the ages of 25 and 35 seeking to make their mental health a priority - find it difficult to access mental health resources.
Concept Sketches & Wireframes
The “Your Oasis” page is the users’ profile page. When creating this page I referred back to the initial problem I’m solving here: “A lack of support within the Black community in regards of mental health”.
This page is the user’s first point of contact when they sign in. I wanted this page to be inviting and reflect the meaning of the name (Oasis).
The user will have the main features accessible for them.
Referring back to user interviews- across the board everyone I talked to wanted to find a community they could be apart of. They wanted a safe space where they didn’t feel alone in their “Black Experience”.
Where they felt supported in a none judgmental space. This is why the Community page came to life.
I used low-fidelity wire-framing to further flush out my ideas.
For the group therapy feature- I wanted to incorporate the feedback from the user interviews and play around with the community feature. I though having an option for group therapy- would give users the supportive component they craved.
However, when I tested users expressed they where not comfortable detailing personal feelings in front of a group.
Based on the user interviews people expressed wanting a personalized resource - to be able to refer to. That’s how I came up with the Mood Tracker feature. I wanted users to be able to keep track of their moods daily- with the option to look back at their history.
One of the “Melanin Oasis” apps purpose is to connect Black Therapists with Black clients. When I was thinking of ideas for this page- I wanted it to be easy and simple.
Users expressed how difficult the process of finding a therapist is and how that can deter them from continuing the process.
User Testing Feedback:
Group Therapy- Based on testing users were not comfortable sharing personal information in a group setting.
Mood Tracker- Users felt like it this feature would be helpful in pinpointing patterns in their day-to-day emotions. And could help in addressing what is causing negative feelings.
Community- Users wanted to see a large variety of groups they could join. They liked this feature because they saw the potential for support from the groups they could join.
Therapy- Wanted to make this as efficient and accessible to find therapists as possible. Users expressed that the history feature was confusing and felt that it was not necessary.
Solution:
Melanin Oasis is an app that promotes a healthy mental health lifestyle for Black folks.
The goal was to create a platform that provides a safe space where focusing on daily mental health is normalized. Melanin Oasis supports Black people emotionally and physically throughout life by providing:
A rich supportive community
A Black therapists directory
Affordable Therapy options
Accessible mental health resources
Educational workshops and events
A judgment-free space
Peer support meet-ups
Refinement | High-Fidelity Mockups
Users will build their profiles
Here shows the results of the information the users input after the initial onboarding process. Users will also be able to get to their Community, Therapist, and Resources pages.
2. The app allows users to interact with a mood tracker.
This feature allows the user to keep track of their moods every time they sign in. They will be able to access the tracker at any point in the app. They will have the ability to access their previous history.
3. Based on feedback the app offers peer support & toolbox resources.
Here, within the community page users will be able to connect with other users. The app will offer virtual peer support meet-ups.
The app will also offer a toolbox option- that will have personalized content for the user.
Project Reflection
During the user testing phase, I learned that users were not comfortable with a group therapy component. They felt more comfortable in a 1:1 setting and preferred to leave the group settings for events.
Initially, I made the assumption that group therapy would be a hit feature. I had to pivot and create a space for group support in another form.
Next Steps
I’m currently in the process of interviewing more Therapists. I want to make sure I’m getting all perspectives- to make sure all needs of users are being met.
Also, we’re in the process of creating our kickstarter. More Features. More Testing. More Iteration.
