This project required us to get to know current teenagers. We went to two different high schools to talk with our users about their daily lives, habits, etc. so that we could get a grasp on how to create effective solutions that would appeal to their age group.

For multiple reasons, quite a few teenagers are not educated enough on mental health to be aware of when they have issues that need to be addressed. There are some teens (and children and adults alike) who complain of physical pain—severe stomach ache, abdominal pain, migraines, etc.—who go to their general practitioner for treatment. In most cases, the GP will conclude that there is no apparent problem at which point the individual is likely sent to another doctor...and another...and another, creating a "medical odyssey" of frustration and confusion.

Dr. Stephen Downs is often times the last doctor to see these patients. They aren't sure what is wrong with them, and they just want answers. Luckily, Dr. Downs is able to spend about an hour and a half with these patients, and he says "usually at the end it’s pretty obvious what’s going on. I usually don’t need to see them back again." It turns out that these patients are so stress/anxious/depressed that physical pain has manifested as a result. 

Our goal was to use design strategies to find a way to get teenagers to understand and improve their mental well-being.

After doing copious amounts of research, we determined that we had three target groups: those who have not gone on a medical odyssey, those who have and will be seeking further professional help, and those who have but do not have access to further professional help.