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The Village

The Village app

A New Zealand-based app, by Starship hospital, to support young people to connect and share their feelings with trusted friends and family.

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The Village app	By Starship Foundation
	Features Positive thought of the day. Access to tips for 'supporting your buddy' and 'if you’re down'. Reminders – daily reminders can be set.
Country of origin	New Zealand
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? No Require a login? Yes Have password protection? Yes Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? Yes Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link) (external link) (external link)

The Village is a social networking app that allows the user to select up to 5 ‘buddies’ who they can regularly connect with to check-in on their mental health and well-being. Messages have 5 pre-written questions, so it's easy to start a conversation. The app provides a platform for users to ‘check-in’ with each other on a frequent basis. It also provides links to other relevant mental health services in NZ.

For the complete app description, go to the app website(external link), Google Play(external link), App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ App is easy to understand and navigate. ✔ Access to links to relevant NZ support services. ✔ Provides ways for “buddies” to support each other in a non-confrontational manner. ✔ Content is factual and relevant. ✔ If the app picks up worrying messages, the user is offered the option to speak with someone. ✔ Co-designed with young people and whānau.	✘ Can only select 5 buddies – limits numbers. ✘ Can limit the number of messages you receive from a buddy (eg, only receive 4 messages per week from ….) – buddy may feel excluded if messages are limited? This does not seem to be compulsory though.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Jasmine Murphy, Registered Psychologist, Private Practice
Date of review: October 2022
Platform: Apple
Version: 1.0.4
Comments: The Village is an app for youth, young adults and whānau members wanting to stay connected to family members they may be worried about. Users know that they can access support as they need it from their selected ‘buddies’. In addition, the app has useful information to manage their own mental health difficulties, and tips to support their ‘buddies’ and provides links to relevant support services in NZ (directly) such as Youth line, Mental Health Foundation, 1737 and Māori Health providers.
Overall, the app is a very practical and user-friendly way to support others to stay connected and provides a platform to ‘check-in’ on their own mental health and that of their ‘buddies’. Non-confrontational way to provide support via technology with relevant links to other NZ support services if needed.
Safety concerns: No.
New Zealand relevance: Yes – designed and developed in NZ so relevant to New Zealand users.

Mental health and wellbeing apps (for teenagers and young people)
New Zealand-based apps
NZ Health App Library
Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.