Inspiration
The inspiration for Stressed Kitty emerged from a deep concern for the mental health crisis gripping our communities, especially among the younger generation, my generation: Gen-Z. Tragic events like student suicides and alarmingly high mental health issues in my very own school highlighted the pressing need for accessible, comprehensive mental health solutions for the younger generation. I was inspired to create an app that not only addresses mental health issues but also makes it engaging and relatable for Gen-Z and beyond.
What it does
Stressed Kitty is a comprehensive mental health app that provides users with a multifaceted approach to improving their well-being. It offers a rich array of resources, including informative articles, practical exercises, and a supportive community. What sets it apart is the integration of anxiety-relieving gaming, allowing users to create and personalize their virtual spaces. Stressed Kitty is not just a self-help tool; it's a mental health app that makes self-improvement enjoyable and accessible.
How we built it
I built the app on Thunkable and created every single element of the app, including the art! I even used some help from the communities around me. I reached out to some people through Linkedin who specialize in analyzing user data to better fit the user's needs and heard about their experiences and what was most important in the development process. One thing I heard from these professionals was to take user feedback! So I had multiple users leave feedback on the app, specifically feedback from those who struggle with Mental Health issues. By hearing their concerns, I was able to reform my app multiple times to better fit my audience.
Challenges we ran into
One challenge that I ran into was definitely the platform that I used to create the app, Thunkable. Thunkable became incredibly slow during the process of creating this app which hindered my ability to work on the project. Another problem that I ran into was being able to effectively research the mental issues that are discussed within my app; I am not a licensed therapist or psychologist so being able to properly and correctly present these mental issues within my app was something that I had to do a lot of research on.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
I'm immensely proud of the positive impact Stressed Kitty has already made on our users. Eight out of ten users reported feeling less stressed and more engaged with themselves, leading to improved moods. Knowing that my app has contributed to better mental health and happier lives is a significant accomplishment for this project I have to help my community!
What we learned
Through the development of Stressed Kitty, I've learned that there's a strong demand for accessible mental health solutions that cater to a wide range of users. I also was able to improve my coding skills! By having so many if-conditions within my app, I was able to abstract the process of making an application from something that seemed incredibly difficult to something that was achievable for me to do!
What's next for Stressed Kitty
The journey for Stressed Kitty is far from over. In the future, I plan to make the app even more inclusive by allowing users to explore mental health improvement at their own pace, even if they're unsure of their specific concerns. I'll also introduce new features, including an interactive game page where users can engage with the app's beloved mascot, the Stressed Kitty. My goal is to continue destigmatizing mental health and provide an evolving, engaging, and effective resource for all. Together, we can all work towards healthier minds and happier lives!
Built With
- thunkable
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