Dear Diary
made with women in mind
by Christel + cherish
Challenge & Opportunity
- Spousal loss is a core trigger for depression
- There is opportunity to intervene before entering the cycle of depression
Depression Cycle
- 10-15%* of seniors suffer from depression in Canada
- Up to more than 1,025,000* seniors
- The female-to-male ratio of depression is about 2:1*
*(Seniors and Aging Statistics)
cycle of depression
Interventions
- Receive supports at the right time
- Decrease negative thoughts, feelings, physical symptoms that may lead to depression
- Reduce need for medication
Cycle of depression + intervention
Introducing...
Dear Diary
Our concept is Dear Diary, a purpose-built digital device intended for female seniors to handwrite journal entries so that they may explore emotions and combat negative thoughts and feelings. Incorporated into the device are musical and drawing features that further engage the User as well as facilitate music and art therapies.
Dear Diary Tablet Home Screen
Upon completion of daily entries, questions will appear that track the User’s mood, energy, and sleep over time. Responses will be analyzed and Dear Diary will recommend certified therapists in their area in case their mood drops for an extended period of time.
Also built into the device is a pen pal service so that seniors can exchange handwritten digital letters with other Users on the Dear Diary network, enabling these women to find companionship and share experiences.
Dear Diary can be viewed as a proactive intervention that intercepts prior to the cycle of depression at such stages as loneliness or loss of a spouse. Dear Diary may decrease negative thoughts, feelings, and physical symptoms that may lead to depression. In turn, Dear Diary may reduce the need for medication or reliance on the healthcare system and support female seniors to age in place independently for as long as they wish and are able.
Dear Diary is a relatively low tech, low cost, subscription-based service that is familiar and nostalgic, and the device itself is easy to understand and simple to use. Dear Diary offers these women a new opportunity to express and understand their emotions, interact with others in a meaningful way, and is simple and convenient, offering them a sense of connection, bringing a sense of hope and purpose into their lives.
