An mobile app that tracks and manages mental health for youths in Puerto Rico
This project was created thanks to the awareness raised by the people of The Opportunity Project and advanced with the objective of Enhancing Children’s Resilience in Puerto Rico. We chose to resolve this problem by Nurturing Positive Mental Reinforcement practices and attitudes in the youth of Puerto Rico. Our method of choice is our mobile application "Cuidado" with mental health support as its main objective while also being used for educational purposes.
- User-Generated Content - Cuidado is designed to address mental health outcomes across various age groups and language proficiencies. The app features a content switch that adjusts app products to be tailored toward specific age ranges, languages, and reading styles. For example, a 13-year-old Spanish user is able to adjust app preferences to receive content at an age-adjusted level and in Spanish dialogue.
- Secured Data and Login - From the ground up, Cuidado is oriented around privacy and security when handling sensitive user data - especially that of a minor. By following Federal COPPA laws and restrictions as well as outlined data protection protocols, users' data and rights are secured and assured when engaging with Cuidado.
- Daily Mental Assessment - In an effort to accurately gauge mental health trends among users, Cuidado conducts daily mental health assessment checks to determine trends among users of the service. Additionally, content on Cuidado is facilitated based on user assessment metrics and mental attitudes.
- Services - Cuidado offers users an array of mental health reinforcement services geared toward improving mental health outcomes. The tools include a storyline/role-playing activity, an interactive game, a mentor chat tool for a daily one-on-one check-in, an activity pool that lists local attractions, and finally, a resource hub that connects links and resources for users to access.
- Scenario Activities & Points System - Cuidado features an active Role-playing game designed for users to engage in various life and mental health situations. Operating on a point-based model, Cuiado awards appropriate responses on the game as a means of reinforcing positive mental health attitudes. Through points and extrinsic rewards, users are encouraged to gain and developed intrinsic mental reinforcement attitudes. This service also provides the ability for parents and guardians to receive feedback and analyze more of their child's mental health responses.
- Mental health statistics and outcomes among Puerto Rican youth is low and trending downward (as outlined by the Federal URS system and the 2021 American Community Survey).
- The most prevailing types of mental health outcomes among Puerto Rican youth are about 55% of depression and other mood disorders, 45% of anxiety disorders, and 5% of other disorders.
- The possible main causes of mental health illness are:
- Poverty: 76% of PR youth from 14 to 24 live in low-income families (2016 - 2020).
- Natural disasters: Hurricanes occur about 2 times a year on average and mostly affect the West and East regions.
- Distrust in authorities: Some User advocates mentioned the concerns and mistrust Puerto Rican people have with the Government
- Integrated federal open datasets
- Mental health data - 2021 State Report (hrsa.gov
- Poverty data - Kids count data center
- Hurricane data - WorldData.info
- Child and Adolescent data - Data Resource center for child and adolescent health
- Census data - 2021 American Community Survey
- Survey - National Mental Health Services Survey
- The impact of cultural sensitivity when designing an application for a specific community.
- How to use data and user feedback to guide decision-making in app development
- How to design user interfaces and experiences that are intuitive and visually appealing to the intended age group of users.
- The importance of user privacy and parental guidance when developing an application centered around children.
- Dealing with in-app language barriers that limit accessibility for target users.
- What educational resources and activities helps children develop healthy coping mechanisms
- The value of collaborating with mental health professionals, educators, and parents
- How to use in-app user data to improve upon existing app features and create new ones as needed
Key Next Steps will include continual development of software and beta testing within specific groups in Puerto Rico.
- Sam Davis Omekara Jr.
- Salvador Mendiola
- Tolu Oyeleke
- Jason Muka
- Miriam Ajibade
- Dr. Suzan Anwar (Faculty Advisor)