Adolescents wanting to improve mental health now have a resource at their fingertips thanks to young-tech designer Nina Fitzsimmons.
The 14-year-old developed Health Spot, an Android app with strategies, resources, meditation and mindful music to help people combat their mental health issues.
Nina said she felt there was a significant gap in mental health services for young people.
"When a young person is going through mental health issues, they have to have discussions with older people and it is all very clinical," she said.
"I hope this app can reduce the stigma and be a resource for adolescents."
After attending the GIRLS ARE FULL STEAM AHEAD program earlier this year, Nina was inspired by guest speaker Jenine Beekhuyzen and jumped at the chance to be involved in her 12 week Search for the Next Tech Girl Superhero program.
"The program requires you to create a business plan, a pitch and video of your product and develop the app," Nina said.
"I made a very basic app in year 7 but I was helped a lot by my teacher Dr Baulch-Brown."
Emmanuel College digital technology coordinator Dr Cindy Baulch Brown worked closely with Nina to learn block code using the MIT app inventor to create Health Spot.
The student was also under the watchful eye of Jodie Dunkley, a senior marketing technician at the National Australian Bank, who aided her with the business side of the program.
Nina recently presented her app along with other Victorian teams at the Search for the Next Tech Girl Superhero and was named the state regional winner.
The year 9 student said she hoped to continue working on her app and upgrade it with mood-tracking technology.
Health Spot is available on all Android devices for free.
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