A new app developed with the guidance of people using mental health services in Cork was launched today (Friday February 8th).
OPPO (which means companion or friend) is funded by Cork Kerry Community Healthcare mental health services, and aimed at
people using mental health services in the North Lee area.
Photography by Gerard McCarthy
The app was launched by Minister Daly at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC Brookfield Health Sciences Building.
The app was developed by Johnny Goodwin, Mental Health Undergraduate Programme Lead, School of Nursing and Midwifery and
John Cummins, Clinical Nurse Manager, in collaboration with University College Cork.Speaking at the launch, Minister Daly thanked the organisers for their invitation and congratulated Mr Goodwin for developing the
OPPO app.
“As the Minister with responsibility for mental health, I am particularly interested to hear how digital technologies can provide
useful support to people with mental health needs,” Minister Daly said.
OPPO is believed to be the first mental health app designed based on the recommendations of people actually using mental health services. The development of OPPO was informed by a study which Mr Goodwin conducted which showed that many mental health apps have limited inclusion of those using services. Interviews with people using North Lee Mental Health services were carried out as part of the process of developing the app.
The app has four main functions:
1) It provides maps to services in the North Lee area.
2) It has a well-being tracker so that those using it can describe their recovery on a diary, using a rating scale, colour or photos.
3) It can link to a user’s calendar and provide reminders of appointments.
4) It provides guided meditation options.
Photography by Gerard McCarthy 087 8537228
Speaking at the launch, Head of Mental Health Services with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Sinead Glennon paid tribute to Johnny Goodwin
and John Cummins for the inclusive way they developed the app.“In Mental Health Services, we continually strive to keep the person at the heart of everything we do. Not only has this app has been developed in the spirit of person-centredness, but it also enables people using our services to be empowered and informed,” Ms Glennon said.Also in attendance at the launch were the Head of College of Medicine and Health (CoMH), Prof. Helen Whelton and Prof. Josephine Hegarty, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
OPPO can be downloaded on iPhone (search app store for “OPPO UCC”) and Android (https://oppo.irish/download/)
