Pacifica

Consumer and social

mental health app

SHOW HN2015

107points
59comments
#230of 2,565 in 2015
Top 9%of 2015 by points

How HN took it

RoastedHalf or more of the comments are critical

2 positive, 6 neutral or asking, 1 mixed, 14 critical, out of 23 comments about the project. Thread score -0.36.

Privacy: 0 for, 10 againstDocs: 0 for, 2 againstExecution: 1 for, 1 againstIdea: 1 for, 0 againstDesign: 0 for, 1 against

The thread, comment by comment

Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.

positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker

What HN said

What people liked

  • Useful to see new mental health tools; good work

    From 2 comments
    • I am a behavioural scientist and really liked your app. Good work. Get in touch.
      addydev on HN
    • I'm always pleased to see new tools. Did you check the NICE guidance for Computer based CBT? http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA97 They recommend some software; they do not…
      DanBC on HN
  • Anxiety app could help people who cannot access psychiatrists

    From 1 comment
    • I live in India and I suffer from crippling anxiety and the psychiatrists I've met here suck, thanks for making this app.
      praveer13 on HN

Objections

  • Privacy of mental health data stored in the cloud is a concern

    From 3 comments
    • Storing mental health data in the cloud with a random "startup" type company sounds like it would cause more anxiety than the app could possibly solve. If it doesn't, it should.…
      Deebot on HN
    • I would love to disclose my extremely disturbing and potentially violent intrusive thoughts to an application with a completely murky privacy policy...
      airza on HN
    • Does an app like this need to be HIPAA-compliant? I would guess that many people would consider building an app like this without thinking too much about HIPAA. "We're not…
      japhyr on HN
  • Unclear whether HIPAA or FDA rules apply

    From 1 comment
    • Does an app like this need to be HIPAA-compliant? I would guess that many people would consider building an app like this without thinking too much about HIPAA. "We're not…
      japhyr on HN
  • About page lacks clear credentials for the clinical advisor

    From 1 comment
    • Maybe it's just me, but it seems like the person with the PhD is buried in the "About us" page and that made me instant less interested particularly given the heavy emphasis of…
      fluidcruft on HN
  • App crashed on opening for one user

    From 1 comment
    • That's what I'm getting as an opening screen: "The application Pacifica (process com.pacificalabs.pacifica) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again."
      mcfist on HN

Requests

  • Clearer privacy policy and data retention terms

    From 2 comments
    • 1) What do you do with the data that you collect? -- Can it be turned over to other organizations? -- can it be used for identification. 2) How long do you retain data - -- How…
      foolinaround on HN
    • I would love to disclose my extremely disturbing and potentially violent intrusive thoughts to an application with a completely murky privacy policy...
      airza on HN
  • Ability to delete account data through the app

    From 1 comment
    • 1) What do you do with the data that you collect? -- Can it be turned over to other organizations? -- can it be used for identification. 2) How long do you retain data - -- How…
      foolinaround on HN
  • Offline data storage on the device

    From 1 comment
    • 1) What do you do with the data that you collect? -- Can it be turned over to other organizations? -- can it be used for identification. 2) How long do you retain data - -- How…
      foolinaround on HN
  • Guidance on approaching a GP and links to local professionals

    From 1 comment
    • I understand the challenges, they are similar to those faced by the adult ADHD community. Less than 1/5 of adults with ADHD are being treated. Our society puts so many negative…
      falcolas on HN

Questions

  • Does the app need to be HIPAA compliant?

    From 1 comment
    • Does an app like this need to be HIPAA-compliant? I would guess that many people would consider building an app like this without thinking too much about HIPAA. "We're not…
      japhyr on HN
  • What data is collected, kept and shared?

    From 1 comment
    • 1) What do you do with the data that you collect? -- Can it be turned over to other organizations? -- can it be used for identification. 2) How long do you retain data - -- How…
      foolinaround on HN

Alternatives named

  • NICE-recommended computer-based CBT software

    From 1 comment
    • I'm always pleased to see new tools. Did you check the NICE guidance for Computer based CBT? http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA97 They recommend some software; they do not…
      DanBC on HN

Category, keywords, summaries and labels on this page were made by AI (Thread Reader v2) and not checked by hand. Each point links to the comments it came from.

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