Development of a User Centered Web Site for Mental Health Management in Adolescents

PURPOSE: A user centered web-based mental health management system may be particularly useful in Korea where there is widespread diffusion of personal computers and internet connectivity. The purpose of this paper was to describe the development of a web-based system for mental health management in adolescents using principals of a user centered design. METHOD: Our design process includes five distinct phases: needs assessment, analysis, design, development/testing/revision, and application release. RESULTS: Web content includes an introduction, information about mental health management in adolescents, self-assessment and guidance, interventions for improving mental health, directory of self-help groups, and counseling and additional community resources. The web site was released using the URL: http://www.baejy.com/youth. CONCLUSION: The end result was a web based mental health management system for adolescents with a high degree of usability. The author believes that web-based mental health interventions in the future have true potential in helping Koreans who are suffering, or at risk, for mental health problems, particularly because of the stigma related to psychiatric therapy in Korea.