Q Space
Social Platform for UW LGBTQ+ Community
Q Space
Social Platform for UW LGBTQ+ Community
The Current Problem
Mental health is a critical issue in college settings, particularly impacting LGBTQ+ students who experience higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their straight peers. Research shows that 66% of LGBTQ+ students suffer from anxiety and 53% from depression, often leading to decreased academic engagement. These students face unique challenges in accessing mental health resources, which are often scattered and not tailored to their specific needs. Stigma and discrimination further complicate their ability to seek help, with many reporting unsafe and unwelcoming experiences on major social media platforms.
The Current Problem
Mental health is a critical issue in college settings, particularly impacting LGBTQ+ students who experience higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their straight peers. Research shows that 66% of LGBTQ+ students suffer from anxiety and 53% from depression, often leading to decreased academic engagement. These students face unique challenges in accessing mental health resources, which are often scattered and not tailored to their specific needs. Stigma and discrimination further complicate their ability to seek help, with many reporting unsafe and unwelcoming experiences on major social media platforms.
The Current Problem
Mental health is a critical issue in college settings, particularly impacting LGBTQ+ students who experience higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their straight peers. Research shows that 66% of LGBTQ+ students suffer from anxiety and 53% from depression, often leading to decreased academic engagement. These students face unique challenges in accessing mental health resources, which are often scattered and not tailored to their specific needs. Stigma and discrimination further complicate their ability to seek help, with many reporting unsafe and unwelcoming experiences on major social media platforms.
What is Q Space?
Our platform addresses these gaps by providing a safe, supportive space for LGBTQ+ college students to connect with mental health resources. With dual login options—UW NetID for full engagement and a guest login for anonymity—it facilitates both secure and open discussions, aiming to foster a healthier environment where students can seek support without fear.
What is Q Space?
Our platform addresses these gaps by providing a safe, supportive space for LGBTQ+ college students to connect with mental health resources. With dual login options—UW NetID for full engagement and a guest login for anonymity—it facilitates both secure and open discussions, aiming to foster a healthier environment where students can seek support without fear.
Our Solution
Our Solution
Below is the user flow diagram (Figure 1), in the subsequent paragraphs, we will delve deeper into explaining the functionality and operation of each step. secure and open discussions, aiming to foster a healthier environment where students can seek support without fear.
Below is the user flow diagram (Figure 1), in the subsequent paragraphs, we will delve deeper into explaining the functionality and operation of each step. secure and open discussions, aiming to foster a healthier environment where students can seek support without fear.
When the login screen appears (Figure 2), users can choose between two options. The first is the UW NetID login, which grants access to a secure community exclusive to UW faculty, staff, and students. The second is the guest login (Figure 3), which ensures user anonymity by not sharing personal information. This distinction accommodates different comfort levels: UW NetID users can fully participate and engage, while guest users can only view posts and access public chats, with no option to comment or add friends. Users can switch between modes to suit their preferences, enhancing the app's inclusivity and privacy.
When the login screen appears (Figure 2), users can choose between two options. The first is the UW NetID login, which grants access to a secure community exclusive to UW faculty, staff, and students. The second is the guest login (Figure 3), which ensures user anonymity by not sharing personal information. This distinction accommodates different comfort levels: UW NetID users can fully participate and engage, while guest users can only view posts and access public chats, with no option to comment or add friends. Users can switch between modes to suit their preferences, enhancing the app's inclusivity and privacy.
As indicated by the user flow diagram (Figure 1), upon successful login, users are directed to the homepage (Figure 5). The navigation bar located at the bottom of the homepage(Figure 6) provides users with a range of options to navigate through different features and sections of the application. The "Homepage" option allows users to view and comment on posts, engaging with the content shared by others (Figure 6). Additionally, users have the capability to browse posts or events categorized under the same tag, providing a convenient way to access related content.
As indicated by the user flow diagram (Figure 1), upon successful login, users are directed to the homepage (Figure 5). The navigation bar located at the bottom of the homepage(Figure 6) provides users with a range of options to navigate through different features and sections of the application. The "Homepage" option allows users to view and comment on posts, engaging with the content shared by others (Figure 6). Additionally, users have the capability to browse posts or events categorized under the same tag, providing a convenient way to access related content.
Along with the option to explore diverse content through a search feature (Figure 7), Here, the search function allows users to search for posts, tags, users, and chat groups. Moreover, for the search function, we have a backend detection data algorithm. If users enter sensitive terms (Figure 8), we ask them if they need professional help and direct them to other available resources, in this way, users can navigate sensitive topics safely and responsibly while providing appropriate support and guidance. We intend to provide greater assistance to our users and deliver fast feedback.
Along with the option to explore diverse content through a search feature (Figure 7), Here, the search function allows users to search for posts, tags, users, and chat groups. Moreover, for the search function, we have a backend detection data algorithm. If users enter sensitive terms (Figure 8), we ask them if they need professional help and direct them to other available resources, in this way, users can navigate sensitive topics safely and responsibly while providing appropriate support and guidance. We intend to provide greater assistance to our users and deliver fast feedback.
By selecting "Posts", the plus icon in the middle of the navigation bar, users can contribute by sharing resources, seeking help, or promoting events (Figure 9). In the case where a user logged in with their NetID wishes to make an anonymous post, they have the option to click on the Anonymous button (Figure 10).This selection ensures that the posts they create will be completely anonymized. If a NetID login user chooses to post anonymously, only the personal information of this post will remain hidden from other users, while the rest of the functions remain the same. To maintain a positive software environment, we have implemented an integrated filtering system to identify and address negative speech. Additionally, accounts that engage in posting negative comments will receive warnings and appropriate penalties.
By selecting "Posts", the plus icon in the middle of the navigation bar, users can contribute by sharing resources, seeking help, or promoting events (Figure 9). In the case where a user logged in with their NetID wishes to make an anonymous post, they have the option to click on the Anonymous button (Figure 10).This selection ensures that the posts they create will be completely anonymized. If a NetID login user chooses to post anonymously, only the personal information of this post will remain hidden from other users, while the rest of the functions remain the same. To maintain a positive software environment, we have implemented an integrated filtering system to identify and address negative speech. Additionally, accounts that engage in posting negative comments will receive warnings and appropriate penalties.
The "Tool" section (Figure 11) provides easy access to a range of mental care resources, including articles, videos, puzzles, quizzes, and surveys focused on mental health topics like anxiety and depression. These resources, curated by Husky Health & Well-Being, offer reliable information and support, specifically tailored for college students, to enhance mental wellness.
The "Chat" feature (Figure 12) allows users to engage in direct or group messaging. It supports both public chat groups, which are open for all to join and initiate discussions, and private chat groups that require a password for entry. This setup fosters a comprehensive community platform, accommodating different communication needs and ensuring spaces for both broad engagement and more private, secure interactions within the LGBTQ+ community.
The "Tool" section (Figure 11) provides easy access to a range of mental care resources, including articles, videos, puzzles, quizzes, and surveys focused on mental health topics like anxiety and depression. These resources, curated by Husky Health & Well-Being, offer reliable information and support, specifically tailored for college students, to enhance mental wellness.
The "Chat" feature (Figure 12) allows users to engage in direct or group messaging. It supports both public chat groups, which are open for all to join and initiate discussions, and private chat groups that require a password for entry. This setup fosters a comprehensive community platform, accommodating different communication needs and ensuring spaces for both broad engagement and more private, secure interactions within the LGBTQ+ community.
