Improving Access to Mental Health Resources on the HSE Website
This case study was written by Debbie Shonowo [mentored by Rebecca Lewis] as a part of our UX Tree Mentorship Program
Project Overview
This case study dives into the redesign of the mental health section of the Health Service Executive (HSE) website.
The goal?
→ To create a user experience that makes mental health resources easier to find, more engaging, and genuinely supportive for anyone seeking help.
The project was undertaken as part of my UX Tree mentorship program, during which we were asked to identify and research a UX problem within an existing website or app, and ultimately design a solution to the problem.
Why did I choose this project?
As a nurse with a deep passion for mental health, this initiative was particularly important to me. The project was not only crucial due to the existing challenges users faced when attempting to access mental health resources on the HSE website, but it also aligned with my professional background and personal commitment to improving mental health care. Enhancing these aspects was essential for user satisfaction and crucial for promoting mental health awareness and early intervention—key strategic goals of the HSE.
Part One: Discover
Research Objectives
- Assess how users, including those who are neurodiverse, navigate to, engage with and understand the mental health section of the HSE website, specifically when seeking mental health resources and services.
- Explore the thoughts and emotional experiences (e.g. reassured/frustrated), users face when interacting with the mental health section of the website.
- Understand what users expect in terms of information and support from mental health services online.
- Assess whether the website’s content meets the HSE Goals and user needs for promoting, preventing, and intervening early in mental health issues.
📖 Read the entire “Improving Access to Mental Health Resources on the HSE Website” case study
Valentina
Valentina is the founder of UX Tree and a Design Manager at Vhi, with over 10 years of experience in UX. She completed her master's degree in UX at IADT in 2020. Valentina is deeply passionate about mentoring, helping junior designers grow, and is especially keen on strategy and UI design.