Designing digital spaces that support children of immigrants’ mental health
Mental wellness has been a growing topic of conversation in recent years, but there is still more to be done for communities like my own. One digital platform that is doing this work for first generation immigrants is Brown Girl Therapy (BGT). BGT is a community space led by founder Sahaj Kohli and aims to bring diverse voices and experiences related to mental health to light. Kohli notes that BGT is “the first and largest mental health and wellness community organization for children of immigrants,” primarily operating out of an Instagram account.
Kohli’s base has grown to more than 160K followers on Instagram. Followers are able to access a database of culturally competent therapists, read and listen to suggested media from Sahaj, and engage in community events with one another.
Brown Girl Therapy prides itself on community and collective growth for children of immigrants through educational resources and discussions. However, with the limited functionalities of Instagram, members are unable to dive deeper into discussions and fully harness the power of community building.
Note that there are a few mental wellness platforms that are adjacent to the topics that BGT covers, but not many. These resources exist mainly on Instagram and are not available on any other platforms.
Creating a platform for connection
As a user of the platform, I realized I did not have the ability to really delve into issues and to truly connect with others who have similar experiences. I wondered, are others facing this same problem? What would make this experience even better?
I sought to provide a platform for BGT members to find community with others who identify as first generation immigrants and connect over shared experiences. I would do this by developing an app that would support Brown Girl Therapy’s community members to communicate and build in depth connections with one another, furthering its mission of community based healing.
In order to do this work and do it right, I spoke to a few children of immigrants — some who have used BGT in the past and others who have not — to get their take on this project. In my research, I found that user pain points include limited access to members of their community (in person or online) and stigmas in their cultures discussing mental wellness or therapy. Users want to feel supported by their community and easily find resources and education about mental wellness, and they see Brown Girl Therapy as a great platform for finding this information.
One research participant in particular noted that “Brown Girl Therapy feels like home to me, I feel seen,” indicating a need for more focus on community building.
With this in mind, the app provides a “community” space where users can share stories, connect over experiences and join groups more specific to their interests. In addition, Brown Girl Therapy’s Instagram content and the therapist database Sahaj put together is included to help users find culturally affirming therapists in their area.
Findings and considerations
Throughout the process, I learned that most participants enjoyed being able to find a therapist on the app. All participants also noted that they would use this app if it were to be developed.
Communities of color and first generation immigrants are often overlooked in the conversation regarding mental health. Designing for such a specific population may seem too niche, which may be why such platforms are difficult to find. But, if it means users finally feel validated and seen, that’s a calling a designer should answer to.
Note: This is a student project unaffiliated with Brown Girl Therapy. Content on the app is sourced from Brown Girl Therapy.
