An appstore for wellbeing and mental health
It did not yet exist in Flanders: a clear platform that groups at least 80 accessible, reliable and privacy-safe apps around wellbeing and mental health. By the end of August 2021, such a platform will be built and ten thousand visitors - both social workers and citizens - will have visited the appstore. That is the challenge of a multi-partner development project. Arteveldehogeschool - Bachelor of Social Work programme is the project manager.
Meanwhile, the wellbeing and mental health app store was launched.
What problems does such an appstore solve?
First: there are a lot of quality tools for online counselling, but counsellors are not familiar enough with them. So they cannot use them (in corona times) in their counselling either. It is also difficult for them to assess the quality of apps. Besides, it is a big energy saver for organisations if not every counsellor has to check the quality of online tools.
Secondly, this app store offers meaningful support tools for citizens who want to work on their own health and well-being. Now they cannot see the wood for the trees in the Google Playstore or the Apple Appstore.
Third: app developers get a chance to give their software more visibility.
What steps does this project involve?
By the end of December 2020 ...
... will launch a website with 30 screened apps for wellbeing and mental health based on intelligible quality criteria - both for social workers and citizens. Inspiring examples for this appstore include ggdappstore.nl.
... the quality criteria and the website will be designed with the participation of social workers and clients. Attention will be paid to user experience and inclusive design (= accessibility for all).
By the end of March 2021 ...
... the appstore will be equipped with a user-friendly search function and 40 screened apps will be placed on it.
... a method will be developed that will allow app developers themselves to submit their apps for screening and 'prove' that they meet the quality criteria.
By the end of August 2021 ...
... the appstore contains 80 high-quality apps around (mental) health and well-being (with search function)
... an update system will be developed so that new apps can be uploaded and existing apps can be updated.
From the colleges, several undergraduate projects will be deployed to collect and screen apps with the involvement of social workers and clients/target groups.
After August 2021 ...
... the appstore is permanently updated partly thanks to support from the Department of Welfare, Public Health and Family.
... the appstore is permanently highlighted by Netwerk Onlinehulp Vlaanderen, by Steunpunt Geestelijke Gezondheid and SAM - steunpunt Mens en Samenleving and by the university colleges.
Who is developing this project?
This project is a collaboration between Arteveldehogeschool - Howest - In4Care - Online-Hulpverlening - SAM, steunpunt Mens en Samenleving - Steunpunt geestelijke Gezondheid- Thomas More Hogeschool - UC Leuven-Limburg.
Arteveldehogeschool is project manager.
The project is supported by the Flemish Government: VLAIO and WVG (Welzijn - volksgezondheid en Gezin).
70 organisations are part of the guidance group.
Meet the team
Work with us?
Request customised research
We are happy to help you formulate your research question and approach.