SpiritVR - A Virtual Reality application to aid with mental health and wellbeing

Scenegraph Studios Ltd (Scenegraph) propose to use our existing knowledge of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies and combine it with research and feedback from a range of professionals and organisations in the mental health and wellbeing industries to create and test an immersive prototype of applications that will help people who suffer with a variety of difficulties and disabilities to be happier and more productive individuals.

As VR is still an emerging technology, we have found that many have not experienced it, and therefore do not understand its value and potential until they try it for themselves. Based on this knowledge, we believe in order to test the feasibility of any virtual reality solutions, a working prototype must be used to measure its effectiveness.

SpiritVR is a multi-faceted 3D VR experience, hosting an immersive suite of applications that will aid in helping those that suffer with a variety of difficulties and disabilities. Developed with the assistance and approval of professionals and specialist organisations within each field, this suite will include:

* A six week mindfulness prototype designed to carefully introduce a user into the subject, allowing them to adopt mindful practices into their lifestyle, giving them the tools needed to help themselves in the long term. * Additional guided mindfulness and meditation experiences to help those in need of stress relief.

* Exposure therapy for those that struggle in busy social environments, for sufferers of agoraphobia and anxiety.

* Sensory experiences for those that require stimulation from their environment (sensory seekers) or for those that wish to avoid stimulation (sensory avoiders).

Each experience will allow the user to control and customise their environment, to ensure they have a safe, interactive and unique environment in which to grow and relax.

We will then work with our partner organisations to assess the effectiveness of these experiences, reporting on their ease of use, accessibility and the state of mind of the users before, during and after each. These findings will be compiled and analysed in order to study their effectiveness and feed back into the development of the application for future iterations of the software.