| dc.description.abstract | Depression is a global mental health concern that
affects millions of people worldwide. Traditional treatment
methods, though effective, may encounter obstacles such as
stigma and limited resources. In response, mobile mental
health apps have gained popularity due to their
convenience, accessibility, and potential for personalized
care. Advances in immersive augmented reality (AR) have
shown potential in supporting interventions for depression
patients. By leveraging the capabilities of AR, these
interventions aim to enhance traditional treatments and
provide accessible support to a wider population of patients.
This paper introduces "ConnectWell," a high-end mobile
app that harnesses the power of AR to revolutionize
depression management. ConnectWell transcends
conventional app functionalities by seamlessly integrating
AR-based patient-therapist communication, guided
meditation, group therapy sessions, skill-building exercises,
and coping strategies. A state-of-the-art AI-powered
chatbot augments the app's capabilities, offering continuous
personalized support, guidance, and resource sharing.
Additionally, the app is thoughtfully integrated with
compatible smartwatches to monitor users' physiological
data, enabling real-time mood assessment and tailored
interventions. The app serves as a supportive and
compassionate virtual friend, providing positive responses
and guidance whenever depression patients need someone
to talk to and seek help. Utilizing the full potential of these
mobile applications for supporting depression patients
necessitates a thorough investigation into the adoption and
dissemination of AR in conventional clinical practice. The
paper concludes with a call for further research and
development to investigate the feasibility and benefits of
haptic-enhanced AR in mental health interventions. | en_US |
