Mood surveys in the palm of your hand
Schools faced significant barriers in monitoring and supporting student mental health, relying on expensive and inefficient survey methods that provided only sporadic assessment data. With 1 in 7 UK youth experiencing diagnosable mental disorders, there was an urgent need for a more efficient, real-time monitoring solution that could help schools identify vulnerable students and direct resources effectively.
Digital Marmalade developed MyJournE, an innovative smartphone-based platform that seamlessly integrates school enrolment data with real-time mood monitoring capabilities. The app was co-designed with London-based college students to ensure maximum engagement and usefulness.
A native app available on iOS and Android, myJournE means students can complete mood surveys whenever they feel the need, and also log 'Diary Events' - occurrences in day to day life which have impact on mood.
A Digital Marmalade designed character leads the users through the app, giving an identity as well as some warmth and personality to the app.
Key features
- Integration with school enrolment data (demographics, attendance, academic performance)
- Moment-by-moment mood tracking functionality
- Group-level reporting tools for schools
- Direct signposting to local and national support services
- Interactive mood tracking visualisation tools for older students
- Parent reporting interface
- Comprehensive data governance model
Benefits for schools
- Cost-effective, continuous monitoring of student wellbeing
- Data-driven insights for mental health intervention planning
- Enhanced ability to demonstrate the impact of mental health initiatives
- Improved coordination with local mental health providers
Benefits for students
- Self-reflection tools through mood tracking
- Easy access to support resources
- Ability to share insights with trusted adults
- Age-appropriate features for different student groups
Conclusion
The initial pilot in local schools proved successful, leading to plans for expansion to over 30 primary and secondary schools over the next five years. The platform is being further developed to include risk factor assessments for preventive intervention targeting.
MyJournE represents a significant step forward in school-based mental health monitoring, replacing sporadic, expensive surveys with continuous, cost-effective data collection. The platform demonstrates how thoughtful digital solutions can bridge the gap between schools, healthcare providers, and researchers while providing practical value to all stakeholders.