MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN YOUTH
Mind Ease App
Introduction
In today’s rapidly changing world, mental health issues among youth are on the rise.
Academic pressure, social media addiction, family expectations, and loneliness contribute
significantly to increased anxiety, depression, and stress levels. Despite the growing need for
mental health support, young individuals often face difficulties in accessing proper care due to
stigma, limited resources, and a lack of awareness.
Recognizing these challenges, we as a team have developed the Mind Ease App, a digital
solution designed to empower young people to take control of their mental health through
empathetic, scientifically supported, accessible and non-stigmatizing tools.
Problem Identification
Through research and user interviews, we identified multiple pain points:
Academic burnout and exam anxiety
Excessive use of social media causing comparison stress
Family pressure related to future expectations
Lack of safe spaces for expressing emotions
Limited access to professional help
Stigmatization of mental health issues
Young people often feel isolated and helpless, leading to emotional exhaustion and even more
serious mental health issues.
Our Solution: Mind Ease App
Mind Ease App offers an accessible digital platform combining psychological support tools,
self-help activities, and awareness resources. It is designed with input from potential users and
based on evidence-based practices.
Key Objectives:
Offer immediate, user-friendly emotional support
Help users develop healthy coping mechanisms
Promote emotional awareness and resilience
Provide private, stigma-free mental health tools
Features of Mind Ease App
Daily Mood Journal
Users can record their emotions and track their emotional patterns over time, helping them
recognize triggers and trends.
Guided Breathing Exercises
Calming breathing techniques help reduce anxiety and promote mindfulness in stressful
situations.
Relaxing Nature Sounds
Audio tools support relaxation, stress reduction, and better sleep quality.
Gamified Therapy
Mini-games designed to improve mood, concentration, and mindfulness while making therapy
approachable.
Practicing Self-Compassion
Exercises encourage users to develop self-kindness and challenge negative thought patterns.
Instant Support (AI-powered)
AI-based chatbot provides instant support for users experiencing emotional distress, offering
coping strategies and suggestions.
Motivational Messages
Daily reminders and affirmations support emotional strength and positivity.
Target Users
High school students experiencing exam stress and family pressure
University students facing academic burnout and social isolation
Youth struggling with social media pressure
Young adults seeking non-clinical mental health support
Design Process
We employed Design Thinking Methodology during the development of Mind Ease App:
Empathize
Conducted interviews with high school and university students to gather insights on their
mental health struggles.
Define
Identified the key emotional and psychological needs based on user experiences.
Ideate
Brainstormed solutions and generated creative ideas to address the identified needs.
Prototype
Created wireframes and initial mockups to visualize the app’s structure and functionality.
Test
Collected feedback from potential users and refined the app’s features based on their input.
Example User Personas
Persona 1 — Ceren (17 years old)
A high school senior preparing for university entrance exams. She feels overwhelmed by
academic pressure and family expectations, often experiencing anxiety and self-doubt.
Mind Ease provides Ceren:
Digital mood journal to express her emotions
Breathing exercises to calm her nerves
Screen time tracking to limit digital distraction
Daily motivational affirmations
Persona 2 — Kuzey (21 years old)
A third-year university student in computer engineering. Despite his busy academic life, he
feels socially isolated and experiences emotional ups and downs.
Mind Ease provides Kuzey:
Mindfulness exercises and guided meditations
Emotional support chatbot for instant conversations
Community support features (future development)
Mood tracking to observe emotional patterns
Expected Impact
Increased emotional self-awareness among youth
Reduction in anxiety and stress symptoms
Greater access to non-stigmatized mental health tools
Promotion of healthy daily habits and resilience-building techniques
Learning Outcomes from the Project
Throughout this project, we have gained valuable experience in:
Applying creative thinking and problem-solving methods
Conducting user research and empathy interviews
Designing digital solutions using design thinking
Collaborating effectively as a team
Presenting complex issues through a user-centered approach
Future Development Plans
Collaboration with mental health professionals for content verification
Expansion of the AI chatbot’s capabilities
Development of community support spaces for peer interaction
Integration with professional helplines and support organizations
Multilingual support for global accessibility
Visual Materials
Conclusion
Mind Ease App is not a replacement for professional therapy, but rather a bridge that
empowers young people to build emotional awareness, seek timely support, and develop daily
habits that foster mental well-being. Our goal is to contribute to a healthier, more resilient
generation.
