Project Background
Creating accessible mental health education for children in low-connectivity environments
About Open Your Heart
Open Your Heart is an NGO-backed mental health resource designed specifically for children and young teens in Myanmar. The app provides accessible mental health education using multiple formats — articles, comics, podcasts, and games.
All content is optimized for low-connectivity environments where many users live, with offline-first architecture that allows full functionality after initial download with synced updates.
My Role & Scope
Mental Health Education for Offline Users
Most mental health apps assume constant internet access. In Myanmar, many children in rural areas have intermittent connectivity or must use shared family devices.
Intermittent Connectivity
Rural areas in Myanmar have unreliable internet access. Apps that require constant connectivity are unusable for the children who need mental health resources most.
Low-Spec Devices
Many users access the app on older Android phones with limited storage and processing power. Heavy apps with large downloads are not viable.
Age-Appropriate Content
Mental health content for children needs to be engaging without being patronizing. Different age groups (8-12 vs. 13-17+) have different needs and comprehension levels.
Sensitive Topic Handling
Mental health is stigmatized in many communities. The app needs to feel safe, non-judgmental, and private for children exploring sensitive topics.
Engagement Across Formats
Children have different learning preferences. Some prefer reading, others visual content, audio, or interactive games. Single-format apps lose engagement quickly.
Caregiver Involvement
Parents and teachers need guidance on how to support children using the app. Without caregiver resources, the app exists in isolation from real-world support.
Target Audience
Three distinct users the design had to serve simultaneously
Ma Thet
Child User, Ages 8–12
Age 10, primary school student, rural Shan State
MyanmarKaren"I feel sad sometimes but I don't know how to say it. I like the comics — they show me it's okay to feel things and I can read them even when there's no internet."
What Would Fail Them
- Requiring internet to access content — she has no reliable connection at home
- Clinical or text-heavy UI — language level too advanced, feels like school, not safe
- Push notifications or pressure cues — she feels anxious about doing things "wrong"
- No clear exit path — if content becomes overwhelming, she needs to feel free to stop
What the Design Does for Them
- Offline-first: comics and games downloadable — fully accessible with no connectivity
- Age-conscious UI for 8–12: warm illustrations, simple language, no clinical vocabulary
- Supportive patterns: no push pressure, soft palette, clear exit paths at any point
- Modular content: she downloads only what she wants — comics without the full library
Key Design Decisions
- Soft greens, purples, warm oranges — calm and encouraging
- Warm relatable illustration style
- Offline indicator system — clear visual for what's available
- Low-spec optimisation — lightweight assets for older Android
Content-First, Resilient Design
Four key design strategies that shaped the offline-first experience
Modular Content Library
Offline-Optimized UX
Age-Conscious Design
Trauma-Informed Patterns
Design System for Mental Health
Visual language specifically chosen to feel supportive, not clinical
Supportive Color Palette
Soft greens and purples for calm, warm oranges for encouragement. Chosen to feel supportive and safe, not clinical or medical.
Legible Typography
Typography focused on legibility at small sizes and on low-res screens. Clear hierarchy for scanning and comfortable reading for extended periods.
Warm Illustration Style
Relatable, diverse characters that children can see themselves in. Not sterile or clinical — warm, friendly, and approachable.
Clear Whitespace
Generous whitespace to reduce cognitive load and create breathing room. Mental health content shouldn't feel overwhelming or cluttered.
Multi-Format Content
Four content formats (articles, comics, podcasts, games) with consistent design language across all. Users can choose their preferred learning style.
Offline Indicators
Clear, non-intrusive visual indicators showing what's available offline. Users always know what they can access without connectivity.
App Interface & Features
Key screens showing the offline-first mental health education experience
Before vs. After
Measurable improvements in accessibility, engagement, and reach
Results & Key Takeaways
Impact metrics and lessons learned from building an offline-first mental health app
Active downloads in first 6 months across Myanmar
Average rating on both iOS and Android stores
Week-over-week return rate showing strong engagement
Partnership expanded to 3 additional countries
Lessons Learned
Open Your Heart — Mental Health App for Children
Complete app design + content framework · Myanmar · 2023
Available on App Store and Google Play