Designing For Distressed Users: Why Mental Health Apps Shouldn’t Follow Every UI Fashion

Designing For Distressed Users: Why Mental Health Apps Shouldn’t Follow Every UI Fashion

Smashing Magazine · Jul 09, 2026

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Designing For Distressed Users: Why Mental Health Apps Shouldn’t Follow Every UI Fashion
Learning July 9, 2026

Many UI trends are designed to capture attention and signal innovation, but those goals often conflict with the needs of mental health apps: reducing cognitive strain, fostering trust, and providing a sense of refuge. Kat Homan introduces an evaluation framework that helps designers assess whether trendy visual and interaction patterns support or undermine the unique goals of mental health experiences.

Read original on Smashing Magazine

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