Mblee
Ingrid Yiu
In our vast, hyperconnected society, there seems to be a tragic lack of empathy and awareness regarding mental wellbeing and mental disorders – a lack of connection despite how instant communication is now. The pressure of keeping face and maintaining a façade of pleasantry means that candid conversation about our struggles and insecurities is almost taboo. That doesn’t mean, however, that mental health issues are rare; an estimated 29% of people will experience a mental disorder in their lifetime, according to the World Health Organization.
Mobile mental health software is one solution, but current apps often focus on keeping emotional wellbeing a private topic. Why should we continue to suffer alone when the technology at our fingertips allows us more connectivity than ever? For people who may not be able to access help in person, a simple mobile app could give them the support they need. Connectivity means awareness, information, community — a chance to feel less alone.
Mblee is an attempt to normalize conversation and self-awareness about our emotions and struggles through a semi-anonymous social network that gives the user the option of being as private or public as they would like to be.