Engaging users in an interactive role-play through a series of animated online videos, Friend2Friend makes them handle a conversation with a potentially at-risk pal. The solution provides an introduction practical training in line with best-evidence guidelines and surveys on mental health and wellness, building skills in how to approach distressed peers motivating them to ask for support from a trusted adult.

The training experience is complemented with several levels of feedback from peer’s reactions to coaching tips. By the end of the virtual dialogue users are offered to reinforce the learning by taking a course survey and finally receive their certificate of course completion.

The app key features:

• Gaming mechanics. The animated videos are accompanied by a clickable thought bubble pop-ups giving hints on how the dialog partner is feeling. The user can get badges and points for using effective tactics. There are conversation goal reminders at the bottom of the screen as well.
• Immersive UX. The app offers a set of well-designed 2D screens featuring 3D models with complex facial animations, textual information and audio tracks — all integrated smoothly within the timeline to create an effective simulator of a natural conversation.
• Built-in survey and tracking tools. The solution is equipped with an assessment bundle collecting feedback about users’ experience, a three-month follow-up survey gathering long-term data, and a user tracking system giving information on the app’s launch and the progress in completing the program.
• Full-screen mode. The web player can choose to stay either in a small screen mode or switch to a full mode.