In Spring 2021, my team of 3 had 2 days to present a solution to UW HCDE’s Design-a-thon for Social Good, a design jam and workshop that explores applications of design that reduce inequity. My team chose to consider: “How might we enable women of color to identify their need for professional mental health resources so that they feel more supported?"

Research involved interviews with four women from underrepresented minorities. We inquired about the current state of their emotional health, characterizations of mental health they encounter in their communities, and their experience navigating existing resources. We noticed that: women of color give less precedence to seeking out professional help, rely on family and friends for support, and experience difficulty searching for and connecting with therapists. Uplook serves to reduce barriers of time and cost to offer a sustainable intervention that prevents resurfacing struggles and facilitates connections between users and resources.