Using Artificial Intelligence To Support Students In Improving Their Mental Health
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2024-07-05
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en
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Abstract
The number of young students struggling with mental health (MH) issues has reached alarming
levels. Carefully designed and implemented, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to help
diminish this problem. This paper explores the role AI can play in ethically and responsibly
supporting students in improving their mental health before human help is sought or available. We
aim to pave the way for systems that are not mere technofixes but empower users by giving them
autonomy in managing their mental health. Using a patient-forward approach, students’ needs and
wishes from MH-supporting systems were investigated, as well as their experiences with existing
technologies. Our findings indicate that successful AI implementation in mental health care must
meet the following requirements: It must be helpful, engaging, personalized to the user’s care
needs and background, trustworthy, technically robust, scientifically valid, fitting into the user’s
daily routine, accessible, and lawful. This paper also presents a concrete implementation plan,
based on state-of-the-art AI techniques and methods, considering their limitations, that could
function as a stepping-stone to practically implementing a minimum viable product. The proposed
system includes core functionalities like symptom tracking, educational content and exercise
recommendations, notifications, a chatbot, personalization options, and crisis-intervention
functionality. This thesis challenges the assumption that AI cannot have a place in mental health
care. Rather, it shows that to play a vital role in mental health care, implementing AI requires
thoughtful attention and should focus on empowering students to take control of their mental well being
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen