A Gentle Introduction to Mental Health Through Storytelling: Design and Evaluation of Digital Human Library

Stigma around mental health significantly hinders help-seeking behavior among university students, especially international students and those of Asian heritage. Digital storytelling can address this stigma by allowing individuals to share personal experiences, dispel negative attitudes, and foster community. However, current platforms often miss opportunities to engage users actively and supportively. To address this, we designed and implemented Digital Human Library (DHL), a story-sharing platform prototype, through brainstorming sessions with HCI researchers and a mental health nurse. We conducted a week-long diary study and semi-structured interviews with 16 university students to assess DHL's impact on self-efficacy towards seeking mental health help. Thematic analysis revealed that trust in professionals' and peers' stories can enhance self-efficacy but may be hindered if stories lack rich contextual details. DHL’s support for gradual engagement helps users overcome initial reservations about seeking professional help and effectively helps them to think about future next steps, including becoming the storyteller themselves. This study highlights the potential for DHL to support mental health storytelling and suggests design implications for future HCI and CSCW research, emphasizing the importance of integrating supportive and engaging elements in digital platforms.