istOkay.at is a digital self-help platform for mental health, originally launched in 2020 in response to the psychological strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially tailored for students, the platform aimed to provide low-threshold access to mental health knowledge while also serving as a foundation for scientific studies. As the pandemic subsided, the ambition grew: to redesign and expand istOkay.at into a long-term, accessible resource for a broader audience, including affected individuals, relatives, and friends.
The platform offers a multimedia approach to mental health education—combining clear, scientifically grounded texts, self-assessments, explainer videos, and podcasts. Central to the concept is the “empathetic navigation,” a unique interaction model that guides users to relevant content based on how they feel in the moment. Instead of requiring clinical knowledge or navigating medical categories, users engage with relatable statements that reflect their current emotional state. This human-centered design was developed in collaboration with the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine at Danube University Krems.
To ensure flexibility in content management and long-term sustainability, the site was built on WordPress. The biggest challenge lay in combining a sensitive, aesthetically ambitious design with technical feasibility and a tight budget. Following ISO 9241-210 UX design principles, the team delivered a modular, scalable system that continues to evolve—supported by academic research and guided by user feedback. istOkay.at is not just a website; it’s a safe digital space that informs without overwhelming and supports without judgment. Because: It’s okay.
