Participatory Design of the Minplan Zero Self-Harm Mobile Phone Application: A Focus Group Study

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Digital Health
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern.
• Existing digital tools for suicide prevention may not adequately address the specific needs of individuals experiencing self-harm.
• Participatory design is crucial for developing effective mental health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the needs of individuals with lived experience of NSSI.
• To co-develop a specialized version of the Minplan app (suicide prevention) for self-harm management.
• To evaluate the contribution of lived experience in transforming a digital health tool.

Main Methods:

• Three focus groups were conducted with 10 young Danish females with lived experience of NSSI.
• Participants had prior experience with safety-planning tools.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze focus group transcripts.

Main Results:

• Participants positively evaluated the original app's features and actively contributed to developing the specialized "Zero Self-Harm" app.
• The "Zero Self-Harm" app retained core safety planning features but shifted emphasis.
• Key shifts included a focus on interruptions, aspirations, and control, moving away from dangers and alarms towards continuous impulse management and goal maintenance.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with lived experience of NSSI were integral to the development and implementation of new app features.
• The collaborative process enhanced the Minplan app's relevance for individuals managing self-harm.
• This study highlights the value of participatory design in tailoring digital mental health tools for specific needs.