IT Services grads optimise Catch It app
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the challenges and stressors of daily life. From study pressures to personal responsibilities, maintaining mental wellbeing can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. Fortunately, with the Catch It app, developed by researchers at the University of Liverpool, in partnership with the University of Manchester, managing your mental health is more accessible than ever, and the app is free of charge!
The Catch It app’s simplicity is its beauty. It enables users to keep a mind journal, with the core concept being to track, understand, and change negative thoughts and emotions. The app guides users through a series of interactive exercises designed to help them identify their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in response to different situations. By gaining this insight, users can develop healthier coping strategies and improve their overall mental resilience.
Since its launch user feedback for the Catch It app is positive, with users praising its effectiveness and noticed improvements in their mental wellbeing. However, a few users mentioned technical issues and suggested improvements to usability and features. Enter IT Services!
Our Digital Innovation and Application Development (DIAD) team assigned two resources from our graduate programme Jacob Brain and Jas Kaur on an optimisation project for the Catch It app, which is currently set to relaunch with a fresher sleeker version in Autumn 2024.
Why Catch It?
Catch It aligns with the Research and impact strategic pillars of Liverpool 2031 and the overarching theme, People and culture. In IT Services, our focus lies in leveraging technology to make positive impacts while ensuring accessibility for all. Catch It aligns with our values and focus.
In today's landscape, many mental health support apps come with subscription costs. However, Catch It stands out as a fully accessible, completely free of charge tool. It's a resource that the NHS refers to when appropriate, making it not just valuable but also widely accessible to those in need. The demand for improvements to the app, along with its importance to ongoing research at the University drove our action.
How does Catch It improve mental health?
“This app is just what I was looking for, an easy way to record and rethink moods as they happen.” User feedback
Catch It is not just another mental health app; it's a scientifically validated tool backed by research and clinical expertise. Developed by a team of psychologists and researchers at the University of Liverpool, Catch It draws on the latest evidence from the field of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to deliver effective interventions for managing common mental health problems. Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Catch It in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression and improving overall wellbeing.
What next?
Jacob and Jas have worked hard to bring Catch It’s usability, look and feel, and overall experience for users a million times better. We are so proud of the work they have done and continue to do for IT Services. Big thanks also to the IT Services Design team and our Senior Mobile Developers, Carl and Sachin who are currently building the new improved version. Stay tuned to IT Services via our newsletter and social media accounts to keep up to date on details of the Catch It app’s new release details later in the year and our other work to help you make the most of technology. Learn more about our graduates on their staff profiles.