Cardiff Youth Service, a part of Cardiff council’s education department, has been testing an augmented reality (AR) app as a way to support teenagers with anxiety and social isolation. The app, developed by counsellor Angela Mcmillan, has shown promising results in reducing anxiety levels and increasing social connection among young people who struggle with these issues. The app allows users to design a flower and choose a structure to support its growth, superimposing the digital images onto their physical surroundings using their device.
Initial findings from the AR therapy application have shown a significant reduction in anxiety levels, particularly among neurodivergent individuals. Young people who tested the app found it to be calming and easy to use, with the potential to open up conversations with their counsellors and help those with social anxiety.
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, welcomed the use of technology to support emotional wellbeing and school attendance issues, especially considering the increased number of children missing school during the pandemic. Cardiff council highlighted the importance of giving young people a voice in the development of these tools, providing them with a comfortable way to communicate.
The next steps for the AR app include piloting it in schools in Swansea and Cardiff to assess its effectiveness in supporting mental health and social connection among young people. Overall, the use of technology like AR therapy is seen as a positive step towards addressing mental health challenges among teenagers and improving their overall wellbeing.
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