Sinae Yu

Enhancing Communication Strategies for Effective Support: Communication Design for Young People with Problematic Substance Use

How can organisations enhance communication strategies to better support young people with drug use disorder or overdose victims?


Project Abstract

This is a design for a new service that addresses the increasingly serious problem of substance use among young people and the ways in which organisations communicate with them offline. My research showed that the most important relationships that were being communicated were those between young people with problematic substance use and the youth workers who were supporting them. Youth workers have a relationship-based approach to interacting with young users, who are often fear-based for a variety of reasons. This is the most careful, kind, yet clear and distinct approach that a youth worker can use when introducing an organisation to a young person who uses substances. The service is also a great alternative to producing brochures.

Fig. 1 – This is a self-check mobile webpage linked via a QR code. This allows young people to self-reflect securely, so that they can learn about their issues, rather than being made to feel judged by others. It is also designed to allow them to connect with the organisation whenever they want.

Clip 1 subtitle - This video shows how the service works. The youth worker will present the young person with a QR code for self-reflection when deemed necessary in the field, which will allow them to see how they are doing and provide a natural connection to the organisation.

Fig. 2 – The image shows six different types of acrylic keyrings with a QR code that youth workers can wear on an ID lanyard. Each image depicts a star for hope, a fist for courage, two hands for support, a bandage for healing, a heart for love, and a house for safety.

Clip 2 subtitle - This clip shows a prototype of the mobile webpage that was created. I designed a light-hearted visual to match the age and characteristics of the user and added a detailed description of the page before starting the test to give the user a sense of trust.