BCM214: Digital Artefact & Contextual Statement

Posted byAlina HagerPosted inbcm214, Second Year, UncategorizedTags:

Digital Artefact:

The following video is a PSA, focusing on mental health statistics in rural/remote Australian communities and the lack of services available that could help.

Contextual statement:

Our innovation; E-VOLV, is an app that encourages individuals to focus on and devote time to their mental health, and provides access to a range of information and self-care services. Some of the unique features of E-VOLV are that it acknowledges the importance or socialising and mindfulness practices, which existing telehealth services do not. It also utilises available technologies as seen in services such as UberEats to provide consumers with a chance to virtually connect with friends and family. Furthermore, a key distinction of our innovation is that it focuses on being as accessible as possible and not just making profit.

The aspect of E-VOLV that I wanted to specifically centre on and promote in my digital artefact was how it could benefit rural/remote users. Consumers that were more isolated were identified early on in our innovation’s development as a demographic that would particularly benefit from the telehealth services provided. As such, for my digital artefact, I chose do a PSA (Public Service Announcement) style video as I believed it would be the most effective way to highlight the value of E-VOLV for people who can’t necessarily go and see a mental health professional in person. Through this format I was able to share some of the concerning statistics and facts about mental health in remote/ rural Australian communities.

The main cinematic tactics I have used throughout my digital artefact are are colour and sound. By using darker colours I aimed to create a emotional response and emphasise the seriousness of the facts presented. Furthermore, by highlighting key figures in contrasting colours I hoped it would have a greater impact on the viewer and make it more memorable. By having sad, dramatic music play throughout the background of the video, I hoped to mimic the essence of a PSA video, which; from my research of videos on similar subjects, are usually highly emotional.

Mental health is arguably one of the most important and influential aspects of one’s life, as it can impact how one thinks, behaves and responds emotionally. As defined by the World Health Organization, mental health is, “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” (Beyond Blue, n.d.). As such, it is clear just how important it is for individuals to attain and maintain good mental health.

The overall aspiration for the E-VOLV app was create and develop an innovation that would truly help people make positive changes that would improve their lives. Looking back, I believe E-VOLV achieved this. Mental health is too often overlooked and pushed aside, by undertaking this project I have increased my understanding of just how important taking the time to reflect on mental health; your own and other’s, is.

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