PrideMind
For my undergraduate capstone project, I decided to find a solution for the intersection of two aspects of my life... being queer and mental health. One night, I came across a research study that detected a user's mental health status from their social media verbiage. I wondered why this idea was not already implemented into mobile applications.
PrideMind provides a safe space for individuals to prioritize their mental health, offering tailored support, educative insights, and resources for digital usage that resonate with the unique experiences of the queer community.
I took this idea and participated in an accelerator program that Johns Hopkins University offers. I ran through the basic business formation process with that program. When it ended, I had incorporated as a C-Corp, created a distinct brand, flushed out the prototype, and pitched to a set of mentors.
Problem
Did you know that every 45 seconds, at least one queer youth attempts suicide?
Almost always, queer people lack the critical support and education that is required for having a healthy relationship with sexuality. Friends and families are not aware of how to deal with an individual questioning or assuring their identity.
And what about the individuals who do not have that support? Unfortunately, the individuals with no support system are 40% more likely to attempt suicide.
Unique Value Proposition
First and most important, PrideMind is a mental health mobile application designed with the queer community at the forefront. Most current mental health applications are generalizing the needs of users. Not only will PrideMind tailor user’s insights to their identity, but when moved out of beta, it will be able to detect a user’s mental state. Users will also receive insights personalized to their identity and digital usage.
Revenue Streams
We will be using a Freemium model. Most competitors are using this model, and it is common amongst mobile applications. It also fits best because those in underserved communities with less money should still be able to use the product.
It will be sold as a subscription to a mobile application for iOS and Android devices.A Free subscription (costing $0) and a Premium subscription (costing $3.99/month or $36/year). Free and Premium subscriptions will have different customization levels of their insights. Our revenue will be made primarily from subscriptions but will also be made from partnerships with other social impact platforms or organizations.
The primary market is individuals aged 20-30, live in the United States, identify as queer, have experience with mental health issues, and identify as progressive. Secondary and tertiary markets include in teenagers and conservative identification, respectively. Our total addressable market is 710 million and our serviceable obtainable market is 1.5 million. We have used location to clarify our SOM, narrowed down to three major U.S. cities – New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
The Trevor Project is an indirect competitor with many resources regarding queer mental health. They also have a crisis line for people experiencing mental health troubles. Shmoody and STIGMA are direct competitors with mood prediction software and alternative methods of support. Both platforms are community-based but do not directly address user’s needs.
I created the above flowchart to show how the user 'traditionally' does things in their queer, mental health journey. The black text is the journey and the red text is the opportunity area.
Side note: When creating this journey, I was not surprised by anything presented. After adding a 'no tech' rule (solution presented farther below), I felt the flowchart above matched the image found in my research. It was somewhat uncanny and proved that I am on the right path.
Kathleen S.
I met with a therapist and psychologist located in Indianapolis. They gave a lot of insight into how a mental state is categorized and measured. From this interview, I was able to clearly organize how the app will classify a user's mental state.
Josh O.
I also spoke with a founder who has experience in education and the US system. They were able to warn me about the restrictive measures of working with youth, especially queer youth. From this interview, I focused a bit more of my time on preventative measures in terms of legality and support.
Potential Users
I surveyed around 20 potential users. The survey consisted of questions about their mental health, queer identity, and feature ideation. From this survey, I learned that certain interventions work and do not work for certain users. Mental health is unique to each person, so finding a single solution should be tailored.
After understanding the problem space, I started to ‘put pen to paper’ and flush out the features for the mobile application.
It was clear from the get-go that a multi-pronged approach was necessary with such sensitive subject matter.
Over multiple months, I surveyed and interviewed a wide variety of individuals. Most of those were focused on usability. I uncovered three distinct insights and edits…
1. In times of need, communication should feel comforting and personal.
2. Text should be limited and visual elements should not feel medical or institutional.
3. The responsibility for action should not be placed on the individual.
During the iteration process, I delved deeper into color theory and user interaction on technology.
With a more nuanced understanding, I was able to tailor the prototype to a customizable interactivity pattern and response.
Early-2023 I incorporated PrideMind as a C-Corporation in the state of Delaware. I did this months before doing the accelerator. I hoped that it would give me a kickstart into making the company successful. Unfortunately, I just did not have the momentum and bandwidth that I needed.
At the end of 2023, I decided to dissolve the company. I was not gaining much traction and I wanted to save money. Since then, I paused on developing PrideMind further. I hope to pick it up in the future.
New Lens: No Tech
During my graduate program, I took a class on Sustainability. I decided to further PrideMind and look at it from a new lens. I wondered, what would PrideMind look like with no use of technology? In eight weeks, I went through a design sprint with this shift in mind.
The focus of the class was to work in the intersection of two of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. PrideMind fell perfectly into multiple goals. I did not want to lean on the research that I had already completed, so I looked at existing alternatives. I then ideated on possible solutions and came up with some sort of criminalization or legal aspect to the problem. From that, I formed the Queer Youth with Mental Disorders Act, based on the American with Disabilities Act.
Good Health & Well-Being
According to Harvard Medical School, one out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
Gender Equality
According to the Center for American Progress, more than 1 in 3 [queer] adults reported facing some kind of discrimination in the year prior.
Reduced Inequalities
According to Statista, 68 countries criminalize homosexuality. In 11 countries, the death penalty is imposed for [homosexuality].
Quality Education
According to GLSEN, 72% of [queer] students reported no [queer] topics in any classes. According to USA Today, 8 in 10 [queer] students felt unsafe at their schools.
The Intersection
According to The Trevor Project, every 45 seconds at least one queer youth attempts suicide.
Queer Youth Suicidality
Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that 45.5% of queer youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, compared to 15% of their heterosexual/cisgender peers.
Technology <> Mental Health
According to Psychiatry Online, these are the digital media mechanisms that influence mental health:
● Displacement of In‐Person Social Interaction
● Interference With In‐Person Social Interaction
● Interference With Sleep
● Cyberbullying and Toxic Environments
● Self‐Harm Information and Contagion
How to Manage Kids’ Screen Time and Social Media Use
Do:
● Allow them to create healthy online relationships.
● Watch for problematic social media use.
● Limit use.
Don’t:
● Let younger kids use social media unsupervised.
● Allow interaction with harmful content.
● Permit social media for comparison.
...decrease the amount of suicidal ideologies amongst youth in the queer
community without the use of technology?
After flushing out the problem space, I decided to complete an ideation exercise. This was important because, with the no technology aspect, I felt extremely limited in the possibilities.
I came up with multiple valid options for a successful solution, so I completed an Idea Matrix. I rated them along a scale, based on impact and difficulty. I decided to further delve into ideas from the strategic category or 'more' ratings.
Books & Worksheets
What would it look like to have a series of children’s books that are focused on promoting equitability?
Criminalization
How can we further punish or criminalize those that are not accepting of queer individuals or mental health help?
Equity Consulting
Does the queer community want or need a framework designed to promote a positive mental space?
Queer Youth with Mental Disorders Act (QYMDA)
The QYMDA was established for all queer youth, past, present, and future, who have dealt and/or are dealing with a mental disorder(s). It is also meant to ensure that the lives of queer youth are protected and respected. All American individuals must follow the QYMDA.
Before moving forward, I need to test the prototype with real humans. I want to gain more of an understanding of how this impacts the livelihood of those involved. I also need to consult with legal professionals in this space. I want to ensure that this does not impact current legislation and benefits other protections. After that, I will continue to iterate and implement.
