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# Crowdsourced Well-Being Apps
The Koko App Helps Fixes 'Bugs' in the Way People Think

By Meghan Young | Published 2015-04-03 | Lifestyle
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/koko-app
References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/3044578/mit-student-develops-a-facebook-for-depression) & [itskoko](http://itskoko.com/)

The [Koko](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microdrink-flavor) app attempts to address the way people think about themselves, especially when it comes to their actions in the world. It's often easy to go down a rabbit hole of harsh self-deprecation and criticism, and the Koko app aims to stop the cycle by crowdsourcing cognitive behavioral techniques to help them through it.

Developed by Robert Morris, the Koko app is essentially a social network for depression. Instead of asking 'what's on your mind' like [Facebook](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lexi-ai), it asks 'what's wrong.' Fast Co Design writes, "The user is asked to describe what happened (for example, because she just lost her job) and then to try to quantify why that makes her upset (for example, because it means she has failed her family or worries she might never get hired again). The point is to articulate these morbid thoughts out loud, so that other people on [Panoply](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panoply-of-organic-italian-pasta) can help the user iron out the "bugs" in her thinking."

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 4.7/10
- Popularity: 48% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health)

## Key Themes

### What Makes This Trend Stand Out

- **Crowdsourced Well-being:** Opportunity to leverage crowdsourcing and cognitive behavioral techniques to address mental health challenges.
- **Social Network for Depression:** Potential to create a dedicated platform for individuals experiencing depression to connect and support each other.
- **Articulating Morbid Thoughts:** Innovative approach of encouraging users to express negative thoughts to gain support and perspective.

### Sectors Adopting This

- **Mental Health:** Disruptive innovation opportunity in the mental health sector by utilizing crowdsourcing and technology to provide support.
- **Social Networking:** Opportunity to create a specialized social networking platform for individuals with mental health needs.
- **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:** Potential to integrate technology and crowdsourcing into existing therapy practices to improve outcomes.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Self-Guided Mental Health Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mindless-labs.md)
- [Mental Health Messaging Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/koala-messenger.md)
- [Social Habit Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calombo.md)
- [Emotion-Regulating Mobile Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feeling-great.md)
- [Psychology-Driven Well-Being Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kuakua.md)
- [Engaging Workplace Wellness Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/workplace-wellness-apps.md)
- [Reflective Peer Support Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peer-support-platform.md)
- [Psychology-Focused Fitness Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/betterme-health-coaching.md)
- [Psychology-Based Habit Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doabl-app.md)
