Development of Application for Health Statistics : Targeting Mental Health

Abstract: Mental illness is an important and growing problem. In Sweden it is estimated that about 22 percent of the female population, and 15 percent of themale, suffer from anxiety [1]. This thesis examines specifically the borderline personality disorder. It is a serious condition that in a prevalence study, was found to affect 5,4 percent ofthe Swedish population. The disorder is linked to self-harming and about 10 percent with the disorder die of suicide [2]. Continuously, the thesis describes the process of the development of a mobileapplication concept that is created to help the user collect and analyze data about their mental state. The thesis first defines the purpose and the limitationsof the project, as well as what goals the project strives for. It continues by examining various fields of interest; by describing mental illness, similar work and the pros and cons of using applications for this purpose. In order to develop an application suitable for the target group, the projectinvestigated areas such as different development tools, the concept of usabilityand the dialectical behavioral therapy, which is a therapy form created specifi-cally for treating the borderline personality disorder. The project’s method is described; how the structure of the project wasset as well as the process of the design and development of the application. Furthermore, the result of the application is outlined, presenting its functions,layout and underlying database. The thesis additionally discusses the problems with mental illness, and thechallenges the project has faced. Issues such as how to handle sensitive data,further development and other other ways to tackle the problem was consideredin the discussion.Lastly, the project is condensed in a summary.