New animations for core programmes (June 2024)

Overview

A new suite of animations has been created for core SilverCloud programmes. Their purpose is to:

1. Provide a new media experience for users working through a programme. They will enhance the accessibility of the programmes for all users, as well as facilitating a more interactive way of engaging with the content.
2. Introduce key concepts and vocabulary early in a module, in an easily digestible way. The intention is for the user to become broadly familiar with aspects of the content, before they journey through the module, where they will learn more about these complex concepts.
3. Provide metaphors and examples which can help users relate more easily to the psychoeducational content of each module.

What programmes have been updated?

• Adult versions:
  • Space from Depression
  • Space from Anxiety 
  • Space from Depression & Anxiety
• Young person versions:
  • Space from Low Mood
  • Space from Anxiety
  • Space from Low Mood & Anxiety

How does this affect existing clients?

New animations are integrated into existing programmes. This will enhance the experience of using the platform for existing clients.

The following is a list of the animations included in this release. Click on the title to view the video:

Understanding Depression and Anxiety*	Challenging Thoughts
Facing Your Fears	Managing Worries
Spotting Thoughts	Boosting Behaviours
*Tailored versions of this animation have been created for Space from Depression/Low Mood, Space from Anxiety, and Space from Depression and Anxiety.
The process Creating these resources involved input from content, clinical, and animation teams. This cross-functional approach ensured that each video highlights the main concepts in a clinically appropriate way, while fitting the context of the various modules. The voiceovers feature the same regional voice actors to help create a ‘voice for the platform’. The intention behind this was to create a sense of familiarity and trust for the user. The tone of the audio is authoritative on the subject, whilst maintaining a kind and hopeful air. Each video features optional subtitles to ensure that they can be utilised by those who require closed captioning. The videos are also followed by a collapsible transcript, to provide an alternative way of accessing the content. Symbols were used in creating the animations so the video elements would remain evergreen across regions and will be easily adapted for translation in the future. This also provides a visual shorthand for users, especially as many of the tool symbols they will encounter throughout the programme are featured. The cast of characters in the videos are drawn from the established SilverCloud characters which feature in illustrations throughout the programmes. In the suite of animations each character features as the primary figure in at least one video, ensuring that we are representing a diverse range of body types, ethnicities, ages and physical abilities.