Designing Resiliency: Products for Mental Health

What is the equivalent of a cane for a psychological symptom? How does one create a crutch for persistent sadness? How can these objects feel stigma-free and desirable? These questions stem from a massive problem that is not adequately being addressed by society and the design community: mental illness and more importantly, mental health. Mental health refers to one’s psychological, behavioral, and emotional well-being, while mental illness is the underlying condition affecting said well-being. Mental illness affects one in five people in the United States. There are very few products designed to help this ubiquitous population improve their mental health. And because mental illness is often not visible, the needs of those living with it are seriously underserved. Graphic Design by Chelsea Alexander. Illustrations by Yoyito.