UI/UX Design
Thesis Project
2024
Suicide Prevention
Designing solution to prevent suicides in educational environments amongst adolescents who find it difficult to pave their way through challenges in life, through the lens of Visual and Experience Design.
My Role
User Research
Competitive Analysis
Concept Generation
Workflows and IA
Wireframing
UI Design
Time Period
10 Weeks
Tools Used
Miro, Figma
overview
Suicide emerges as an complicatedly layered and deeply troubling event, drawing heightened scrutiny worldwide for its profound effects on individuals, families, and communities alike. Suicide rates have been rising overall recently, with student suicide standing out as a particularly concerning subcategory. The project seeks to enhance students' mental health and well-being through a supportive digital environment, providing a model for similar high- stress academic settings.
CONTEXT
According to the WHO's 2022 report, an estimated 703,000 individuals globally commit suicide annually, with over 170,000 of these deaths occurring in India. This thesis focuses on students in Kota, Rajasthan, known for its intensive coaching environment. This urges the need for critical necessity for implementing effective prevention strategies and robust support systems.
Research Methods
Secondary Research: Various research papers and newspaper articles were studied. A lot of user stories and journey shared on Quora website have been reviewed to gain more insights, and pain points.
User Interviews: Using the snowball sampling method, students who have studied in coaching institutes in Kota were identified as participants for the study. qualitative questions were then posed to these participants during interviews, aiming to gather in-depth insights into their experiences, perceptions, and challenges concerning mental health and suicide prevention.
Competitive Analysis: Analyzed similar systems in the industry to identify best practices and potential improvements.
Welcome to Kota
Situated in the south-eastern region of the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, Kota has gained renown for coaching insJtutes geared towards preparing students for compeJJve exams like JEE and NEET, among others.
6000 crore
market for the coaching industry
Over 2.5 lakh
students come every year to Kota
27 coaching
institutes approximately running now
Suicide quotes
These statements from 2 students show the amount of pressure and depression they go through.
I can’t do it. I am a loser. Sorry Papa, JEE nahi ho payega. I am the worst daughter. This is my last option.
I’m sorry. All the noise in my head and the hatred in my heart, hatred for myself, is maddening. Mom, you manipulated me as a kid to like science… I took science to make you happy. Papa, I am sorry to leave you alone.
Student suicides in Kota over a decade
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024 (till June)
8
17
16
7
20
8
4
15
26
12
4/10
students struggle with mental health issues such as depression
Mind Mapping
Suicide is not an event that occurs suddenly; rather, it often evolves over time through a series of complex circumstances and experiences. Understanding the factors contributing to such acts requires a holistic examination, as no single lens can adequately capture the depth of the underlying issues. Having delved into the multifaceted nature of the issue through social, cultural, political, environmental, educational, psychological, and economic perspectives
Factors
can be categorized as Direct and Indirect
Parental and Societal Pressure
Pressure Cooker Environment
Indirect Factors
40%
Clueless
20%
Medical
10%
MBA
30%
Engineering
Career choice of students from class 8-12
3 professions
are loved by Indian society and it produces 1.5 million engineers, 1.8 million registered medical graduates, and about 3.6 lakhs MBA each year.
93%
of students in a survey were just aware about 7 from 250 career options.
94%
teachers were not aware about psychometric tests taken to measure a student’s aptitude level.
68%
teachers believe that anyone can do any job if they work hard enough.
Lack of career awareness
Holiday gatherings often revolve around asking young people about their test scores or school rankings, leaving lille space for conversations about non-academic interests or pursuits. This judgement by society deeply affects a student’s mental health at that stage in life when they constantly get worried about “What will people say?”.
“How much did your child score?”
“Which college did your child get into? Mine got into the best one”
“The career you want has no scope”
Societal Structure
In many families, parents make the decision for their children believing that they are making a correct decision, limiting a child’s voice to put forward their own preferences or concerns.
78%
of parents prioritized jobs that were easily available, according to a survey.
Parents forbid their children to take career options like fashion designing, hotel management, agriculture etc. as they are not very prestigious, renowned, and not socially famous.
Decision making and beliefs
There is extreme pressure on students from a low income family, especially who take out loans for their studies at huge interests.
Pressure to repay loan
Pressure to have a better future
Pressure to meet family expectations
Pressure to fulfil family responsibilities
Family Background
8.8 Lakhs students
appeared for the JEE Main 2023 exam, while 9.3 lakhs registered for it.
17,385
seats for IITs
23,954
seats for NITs
7,746
seats for IITs
Over 25 lakhs students
appeared for the NEET 2023 exam.
1,08,940
seats for NEET colleges
IIT ranks 2nd
in the top 10 toughest exams globally.
Tough Competition
The public display of exam marks within the institute often evokes feelings of humiliation, fear, and intense competition among students. Comparing their performance to that of their peers can lead to self-doubt and questioning.
“Am I good enough?”
“What is wrong with me?”
“Why am I not doing good as my friend?”
Public Display of marks
Students experience a significant impact on their morale when they are sorted into batches based on their exam scores, with these groups often reshuffling periodically.
The categorization of batches, with labels like "A" for the top performers and descending letters for lower-ranked groups, reinforces perceptions of intelligence and academic prowess. This system creates immense stress and self-doubt among students, who may internalize their batch assignment as a reflection of their worth or capabilities
Batch Segregation
To succeed in these rigorous exams, students dedicate approximately 12-16 hours daily to studying, leaving no time for recreational activities.
Puberty
Adolescents dealing with puberty's physical and hormonal changes face added challenges in adapting to new environments and social dynamics.
Navigating Relationships and Attractions
Adolescents are also beginning to explore their identities and relationships with others.
Encounters with Substance Use
The pressure to fit in and the availability of substances can make it tempting for students to experiment with drugs or alcohol.
New Phase in Life
Stigma around mental health
Individuals experiencing mental health challenges may fear social rejection and discrimination, leading to underreporting and reluctance to seek help.
0.7 professionals for 1 lakh
people, well below the recommended standard of 3 professionals per 1 lakh.
Few Psychologists on campus
While famous and large institutes may have psychologists available on campus, many smaller institutions lack access to these crucial resources.
Mental Health Perceptions
Social comparison
Platforms promote unrealistic standards of beauty and success, leading adolescents to engage in constant social comparison and fostering feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
Adaptation
peer influence is amplified in the digital realm, as adolescents are more likely to emulate behaviours, preferences, and attitudes observed in their online social circles, potentially affecting their choices and decisions in real life.
Social Media Influence
Poor living conditions
The living conditions for students in Kota vary widely, with some able to afford better accommodations while others, particularly those from low-income families, find themselves in cramped and unhygienic environments.
Additionally, students frequently raise concerns about the quality and hygiene of the mess food provided, highlighting a pervasive issue where the focus on profit often overshadows the importance of providing conducive living conditions for students.
Unsuitable living conditions
Government Measures
Mandatory replacement of ceiling fans with suicide-proofing fans, equipped with devices that prevent hanging, along with the installation of nets in balconies and lobbies, demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the safety of students.
The establishment of a dedicated student cell, by the city police to detect early signs of stress and depression among competitive exam aspirants.
373 complaints
received by student cell in 2 months
98 students
with severe mental health issues out of 8,617 were found after a health screening by medical team
insights from competitive analysis
In my analysis of direct and indirect competitors in the market, I focused on apps addressing suicide and suicidal thoughts as direct competitors, and those targeting mental health and overall well-being as indirect competitors.
Lack of Interactive Features
Ver few apps include interactive exercises, games, or distraction plans that can help users relax, distract their minds, or take a break from their negative emotions.
Combating Isolation
Many apps fail to convey to users that they are not alone in their struggles. Emphasizing community support and connection can help users feel less isolated and more understood.
Comprehensive Support Systems
While emergency contacts and safety plans are essential, apps should also offer more holistic support systems such as professional help, guided self-help resources, and personalized action plan.
Outdated Visuals in Suicide Prevention apps
Despite the valuable information they offer, these apps tend to have a static and outdated user interface. This lack of interactivity and modern design can make the apps less engaging and potentially less effective in improving the user's mood or maintaining their engagement over Jme.
Interviews and User stories
Using the snowball sampling method, students who have studied in coaching institutes in Kota were identified as participants for the study. A lot of user stories and journey shared on Quora website have been reviewed to gain more insights, and pain points. Additionally, one teacher, a direct stakeholder, was interviewed to gain insights into their perspective on mental health issues among students and the role of institutes in addressing them.
Insights from interview
Feelings
Students often feel alone and isolated when they are unable to meet set expectations, facing the harsh reality without anyone to share their feelings with or guide them through this new phase of their lives, leading them to commit suicide.
GAP BETWEEN PARENTS & CHILD
Students feel that a simple sentence from their parents prioritizing them over education and little support would have been helpful in those tough times.
Lack of career counselling
Students often lack career counselling in 10-12th grade.
They choose subjects based on societal expectations.
They tend to follow familiar career paths, like those of family members.
Students are generally more satisfied when course selection is a mutual decision with their parents.
Stress and Anxiety
Students frequently experience stress and anxiety when they fail to meet their or their family's expectations. This pressure intensifies when they compare themselves to peers who are performing better.
Pressure
Academic pressure from competition, high expectations, and the fear of not meeting standards leads to significant stress and anxiety.
Difference
Students with support from parents or who lived with parents or family members had less stress or anxious moments compared to the others. It has been observed that living with family members has a significant positive impact than from living alone in a hostel/PG.
Personas and Empathy Mapping
Exploration and Data segregation
Combating Isolation and feeling of being alone.
Problem
Feeling alone is something that is common among all. They don’t know if what they feel is experienced by everyone or they alone and hence, when depression rises they keep it to themselves, which worsens and leads to suicidal tendencies.
Guide and aware parents on how to deal with the situation
Problem
Feeling alone is something that is common among all. They don’t know if what they feel is experienced by everyone or they alone and hence, when depression rises they keep it to themselves, which worsens and leads to suicidal tendencies.
SOS with GPS based notification to other students
Problem
Currently there is no one near to share their emotions, especially during suicidal tendencies. In that state of mind, they take the wrong decision.
Intuitive and Simple Visualization
Data Visualization Metrics
To ensure the visualizations are meaningful and impactful, I focused on the best ways to segregate and present the data. Below are the considerations taken and can be checked in appendix for reference.
Emotional States
Categorizing data based on different emoJons such as happiness, sadness, stress, anxiety, and loneliness.
Causes
Categorizing overall causes into 3 major ones that is academics, family or personal reasons.
Peer Comparison
Show comparisons between the user's emotions and the average emoJons of other users in similar situations.
Time Period
Tracking and visualizing changes in emoJons over different Jme periods (daily, weekly, monthly).
your
emotional causes
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
No data recorded
Happy
Academics
Family
Personal
your
emotional level
you have been depressed from last month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
No data recorded
Happy
Stressed
Anxious
Alone
Depressed
Suicidal
students
stressed
anxious
alone
depressed
suicidal
80K
75K
52K
25K
10K
2K
you
Overall
status
70%
students are stressed like you in academics
20%
students are depressed like you because of their family
10%
students are good in their personal life
Your Level
Academics
Family
Personal
Suicidal
where do you
stand
student
changes
Sort by
Past 6 months
happy
previous- 20K
new- 15k
30%
stressed
previous- 70K
new- 78k
5%
anxious
previous- 52K
new- 72k
42%
alone
previous- 25k
new- 45k
48%
depressed
previous- 10k
new- 35k
250%
suicidal
previous- 2k
new- 8k
300%
Old
New
Capturing User Data
User Input
Information provided by users through logging their daily mood and filling out the journal
AI Detection
Sentiment analysis and emoJon recognition performed by AI to detect and analyse users' emotional states.
Future Scope
AI Integration
Implementing AI to analyze browsing history, social media content, and other digital footprints to gather deeper insights into students' emotional states
Usability Testing
Conducting extensive usability testing to refine and improve the current workflow, given that this is the first draft and there is considerable room for enhancement.
Accessibility
Ensuring accessibility for a diverse audience, particularly addressing the needs of the visually impaired by using a more varied color palette and clearer design elements.
Drop me an email to know more or to just talk over a cup of coffee
khuwalneha@gmail.com