Students of BUT have developed the first Czech mobile app which provides assistance with psychological problems

Solve a mathematical problem, perform a breathing exercise or prepare an emergency plan in the event of a depression attack. The aim of the Nepanikař (Don't Panic) mobile app is to provide an effective first aid to people suffering from psychological problems. It was created by Veronika Kamenská, a student at FEEC, and Aleš Řezáč and Tomáš Chlubna from FIT BUT. They developed the app with the support of psychologists and psychiatrists. It can also aid healthy people dealing with difficult life situations.

Veronika Kamenská, a bio-medicine student at FEEC BUT, came up with the idea to create an app which would provide support to people suffering from mental illnesses two years ago. At that time, she was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder which led to anxiety and depression and culminated in a suicide attempt. "I was looking for something that would help me manage the condition. But all available mobile apps were in English and were missing contact information for relevant aid in the Czech Republic. Furthermore, they were narrowly focused either on depression, panic, or anxiety. Yet these disorders are often interconnected," explained the student who has decided to assist in de-stigmatisation of mental disorders.

A year ago, she created the Mlčení není řešení (Silence Is Not the Answer) project which can be used by people to share their own experience with managing mental illness. On social media, they will learn what happens during a visit to the psychologist or hospitalisation at a psychiatric department. "This information is not easy to find. People are scared because they have no idea what will happen to them after hospitalisation," Kamenská explained. The project also includes the Nepanikař mobile app which was co-developed by FIT BUT students Aleš Řezáč and Tomáš Chlubna.

 
Veronika Kamenská, a bio-medicine student at FEEC BUT came up with the idea to create the application two years ago | Author: Oto Janoušek

The Nepanikař app offers five basic modules containing instructions on what to do in the event of severe anxiety, depression or thought patterns leading to self-harm or suicide. "Breathing exercises are effective when dealing with anxiety. Solving mathematical problems has proven effective when dealing with a panic attack as it draws one's attention away from the feelings of suffocation or imminent fainting," she added. In case of depression, the app attempts to motivate the user to plan and do some activities. "Drawing up an emergency plan while the person is stable is also very effective. If the person starts having suicidal thoughts, the plan will remind him/her to contact a close person or a crisis centre," she pointed out.

During development, Kamenská co-operated with psychologists and psychiatrists. During a pilot survey, the app was tested by twenty people, most of whom have been diagnosed with some kind of mental illness. The feedback was positive. Apart from the simple activities method and creation of an emergency plan, the users could also use a list of contact information of verified helplines and crisis centres. "We tried to design the app for young people who find it difficult to tell their parents about their problems. For them, the idea of telling a stranger is much more bearable," explained Kamenská.

The mobile app has been downloaded by over eight thousand people and it is available for Android and newly for iOS phones. Its introduction on the market was also supported by the Nevypusť duši (Don't give up the ghost) non-profit organisation who introduces it to teachers and high school students during its workshops aimed at raising awareness of mental disorders. "However, the application is also used by people who do not suffer from any mental illness. Its handy tips can help them to manage stressful situations or anxiety," added the student who wants to expand the app in the future so that it can also help people suffering from eating disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder.