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NewsSmashing MagazineJul 9, 2026

Designing For Distressed Users: Why Mental Health Apps Shouldn’t Follow Every UI Fashion

hello@smashingmagazine.com (Kat Homan)

Designing For Distressed Users: Why Mental Health Apps Shouldn’t Follow Every UI Fashion

Many UI trends are designed to capture attention and signal innovation, but those goals often conflict with the needs of mental health apps: reducing cognitive strain, fostering trust, and providing a sense of refuge. Kat Homan introduces an evaluation framework that helps designers assess whether trendy visual and int

Designing For Distressed Users: Why Mental Health Apps Shouldn’t Follow Every UI Fashion · sit with design