Overview
The dMENTHOL app is an innovative digital platform designed to improve access to mental health care for women in urban Bangladesh. The dMENTHOL app was developed through a strategic collaboration between icddrb and mPower Social Enterprise Ltd. While mPower Social Enterprise Ltd. provided the technical expertise required to design and develop a user-friendly digital platform, icddrb contributed scientific knowledge, research guidance, and process of incorporating validated tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)) for depression screening within the app. The initiative aims to facilitate early detection of depressive symptoms and promote overall well-being through self-assessment and timely access to professional support.
Description
Problem
Women in urban Bangladesh often face barriers in accessing timely mental health support, including stigma, limited awareness, lack of convenient screening options, and challenges in reaching professional counseling services. These barriers can delay the identification of depressive symptoms and reduce opportunities for early intervention.
How Our Solution Solves It
The dMENTHOL app addresses access barriers by offering a simple, structured, and confidential digital pathway for mental health screening and support. Users begin by installing the app, accessing a user-friendly dashboard, and creating an account with a unique secure password to ensure confidentiality and data protection.
Through the app, users complete a standardized mental health self-assessment. Based on the screening score, the platform guides each user to the appropriate support pathway. If no depressive symptoms are identified, the user receives lifestyle and well-being advice. If depressive symptoms are detected, the user is referred to a counseling window for professional support.
The platform also enables flexible service delivery by offering both in-person and virtual counseling options. Users can choose a psychologist according to their preference and convenience, making mental health care more accessible, private, and user-centered for women in urban Bangladesh.
The user journey within the dMENTHOL app is designed to be simple, structured, and accessible:
- App Installation & Onboarding: Users begin by installing the app and accessing a user-friendly dashboard. During onboarding, users are required to create an account using a unique and secure password to ensure confidentiality and data protection.
- Self-Assessment: Individuals complete a standardized mental health screening.
- Guided Support Pathway: Based on the score, if an individual has no depression, she will receive some lifestyle advice. On the other hand, if an individual has depression, he/ she will be referred to counseling window
- Flexible Service Delivery: The platform offers both in-person and virtual counseling along with choosing the psychologist as per preference of the user according to their convenience.
Screenshot of the app
Result
Pilot testing among mothers in urban settings demonstrated high usability and acceptability of the dMENTHOL app. Users reported increased comfort in accessing mental health support digitally. The platform shows strong potential for improving early detection and intervention for depression, contributing to better mental health outcomes. However, implementation also revealed important challenges, including app installation barriers, inconsistent internet connectivity, and operational complexities for service providers managing multiple digital platforms. These insights are being used to further refine and strengthen the system.
