“It’s a skill to say no”. HUHIV launches mobile app to help young people make healthier choices
“It’s a skill to say no", a core message behind HUHIV’s new prevention campaign and mobile app ovisnosti.huhiv.hr designed to help young people make healthier choices and feel safe talking about them.
Developed by the Croatian Association for HIV and Viral Hepatitis (HUHIV) with communication and creative strategy by Haiku Communications, and design by Vedran Židanik from Creek&Pine, the project redefines how we talk about addiction prevention. Shifting from fear-based messaging to empowerment, empathy, and real-life relevance.
From prevention to empowerment
Young people face constant pressure. From peers, social media, and environments that often normalise risky behaviours. The new ovisnosti.huhiv.hr app responds with support, not stigma. Through short educational videos, self-assessments, quizzes, and advice for challenging moments, it helps users understand their choices and learn practical life skills, such as self-control, boundary-setting, and stress management.
“The goal was to make prevention relatable. We can’t moralise to young people about how they should behave, especially since addictions are now seen as lifestyle choices. Instead, we need to help them feel confident in choosing better options without guilt. Each visual and message was crafted to meet young people where they are, reflecting real situations and choices.”
The project was implemented by HUHIV, with support from the Ministry of Health, the City of Zagreb, and mental health and prevention experts. The ovisnosti.huhiv.hr app is free and available on Google Play and the App Store.
