JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Existing mental health apps are largely not aimed at generally healthy young people who may be experimenting with addictive subbstances and mind-altering experiences. It is unknown whether healthy young people would make use of and benefit from an app that could lower the risk of mental breakdowns associated with drug use and engagement in mind-altering spiritual experiences.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to examine the interest and expectations of young people regarding a proposed smartphone app designed to help protect and promote mental health and resilience in the face of risks associated with substance abuse.

Methods:

The study was based on agile system development and had three empirical sub-studies. Study 1 comprised a feasibility survey among 339 Israelis aged 18-30. This survey examined the potential interest of young people in this type of app. Study 2 was a participatory design study involving seven focus groups of 5-7 participants each (a total of 38 young people aged 18-35). Persona development, open discussion, and a technology acceptance model questionnaire were used to elicit users' expectations and requirements for the app, and to understand the perceived usefulness and usability of the proposed features. Study 3 comprised in-depth interviews with experts in the field of youth mental health and drug use, to enlist their professional opinion regarding the value of such an app and recommendations about the features it should include.

Results:

The mockup for the proposed app had five key features: personalized assessment of risk for a drug-associated mental crisis, support for self-monitoring, useful information (eg, warning signs and first-aid guidelines), resilience-building exercises, and a support center. Participants rated highly the usefulness of all five main features and 24 of the 25 specific features we proposed within those main categories. Participants also suggested additional features as well as a new user persona we had not considered: the parents or family members of the young person. The focus groups highly rated the perceived usability of the app. Most experts saw value in all the main features and suggested specific knowledge sources for the app’s content. Finally, participants of both the feasibility study and the participatory design study expressed moderate to high interest in using the app for self-help, and high interest in using the app to help their friends.

Conclusions:

The findings provide preliminary encouraging support for the five main features suggested by the research team, and reinforce recommendations for mHealth apps found in the literature. The findings emphasize the insight that this kind of app should be designed primarily for use by individuals seeking to help others.