Depression - a design hackathon for our times

DEPRESSION - A DESIGN HACKATHON FOR OUR TIMES

A CALL TO TAKE ACTION - BY INVITE ONLY

WHAT IT'S ABOUT

Cultural commentator George Monbiot noted that although we have access to more media than ever, we're currently experiencing 'the Age of Loneliness.' Depression and a lack of mental health has become one of the most serious and costly issues of our time, especially for young people.

We - The XDs, the The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) and Big Radical, plus a host of others like Accenture, PWC and UKIE have got together in the hope that we can collaborate and change this.

WHO WILL BE THERE

This design hack brings together some major players in the design and healthcare sectors.  Attendees will come from a mix of disciplines like psychology, healthcare, biology, software, data, AI, UX, strategy, video, art, pharmacology and games design. Organisations represented will include the NHS, universities and colleges such as Abertay, Central St Martins College, the Royal College of Art, City Univeristy, Loughborough, the UXPA, the Royal Society of Physicans, as well as a host of other agencies and organisations.

HOW WE'LL DO IT

Very high quality teams that include end users will be created. Attendees will collaborate, explore and co-create prototype solutions to help people with depression and those close to them, i.e. friends and family. 

As is usual with an XDs event, attendees will be fully briefed before the event. Once it starts you'll be taken through a mix of specially designed exercises to get from insight to prototype in just 48 hours.

WHERE AND WHEN

All the action will take place on the 10th-11th June at Big Radical's Soho studios. Food and drink (and some very special entertainment!) will also be provided.

All in all it's a great opportunity to make a difference on a very significant issue, meet some very talented people, extend your network, get some great credentials, learn a lot, share and be part of a story that says you helped something with serious purpose happen!