BrighterSide description

BrighterSide is currently only accessible to those participating in a trial conducted by The Black Dog Institute.

BrighterSide has been designed by a team of mental health experts at the Black Dog Institute and adults with lived experience. The app contains five modules based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) as well as incorporating elements of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and positive psychology.

BrighterSide aims to help those with suicidal thinking to understand their thoughts and develop the skills and strategies to help manage them.

The app has been developed with the following five key design principles:

1. Safety First - emergency services as well as contacts from your safety plan can be accessed from any screen. The app also contains a feature called Coping Tools which suggests different calming and distracting activities to use during high intensity periods or when needed.

2. Respect - we know language can activate negative emotions that’s why we have been guided by our lived experience team to use nonclinical language that is safe and inclusive.

3. Empowerment - the app is designed so that people can access all 5 modules as a full program or select their preferred pathway or activity.

4. Simplicity - the flow and navigation within the app has been tested with our lived experience team to ensure it is easy and intuitive.

5. Trust - research shows us that apps like this one can help to reduce suicidal thinking. It can make a difference.

Key features within the BrighterSide app include; creating a Safety Plan with the ability to share this with a support member or family and friends; access to calming and distracting tools to help reduce the intensity of thoughts; and lastly a full program of resources to help you understand & navigate emotions and unhelpful thoughts.

For more information please contact [email protected]