Abschlussarbeit

Bachelor Thesis

INCLUSIVE DESIGN OF MHEALTH SUICIDE PREVENTION APPS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW AND QUALITATIVE USABILITY STUDY

Kurzfassung / Abstract: Suicide is a major global public health problem. Mobile health apps became a common tool in suicide prevention strategies due to the widespread use of smartphones. Research indicates that such apps can reduce both attempted and completed suicides, but usability and accessibility challenges can limit their adoption. Therefore, this thesis aims to improve the SERO app for suicide prevention by applying inclusive design principles to make it more suitable for a wider range of users, and meet their emotional, usability and accessibility needs. A mixed method approach was used to achieve this objective: a systematic literature review analyzed inclusive design elements in existing apps for suicide prevention and usability testing of the SERO app was conducted with participants who have lived experience of depression and/or suicidal behavior. Findings revealed that inclusive design goes beyond the visual user interface and includes aspects such as inclusive language, accessibility for users with impairments, cultural sensitivity and emotional safety. The findings informed the recommendations to enhance the SERO app’s support for users in times of distress and guide the design of other suicide prevention apps.

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