AI and digital solutions for supporting student mental health

Student mental health has become a pressing issue in recent years, and for good reason. As academic demands increase, so do mental health challenges among students, while educational institutions’ resources remain unchanged. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, and its effects on students’ daily lives and well-being continue to be felt.

Traditional support systems alone cannot meet the rising demand for mental health support. Technology and AI have significant potential to be part of the solution. Digital tools offer efficient, flexible solutions that complement traditional services and bring support closer to students. They don’t only make it easier to seek help but also foster self-direction and enable more personalized support, aligned with students’ schedules and needs.

Chatbots lower the barrier to seeking help

When it comes to mental health issues, seeking help can be particularly challenging. Many students find traditional support channels, such as school counselors or psychologists, difficult or uncomfortable to access. Digital tools, like chatbots, can make a substantial difference. These intelligent aids can check in on students’ well-being, identify mental health concerns, and guide students toward further support if needed.

A digital environment provides a low-threshold pathway for students to seek help without the social pressure or stigma that may accompany face-to-face interactions. This is especially valuable in mental health support, where openness and ease of access can be critical. While the initial outreach may come from the chatbot, students may still proceed to face-to-face conversations with a professional.

Help-seeking as part of the learning process

Beyond mental health, seeking help is a key part of the learning process itself. It is crucial for students to recognize when they need help and know how to seek it. However, this skill does not always develop naturally, and many students struggle with it. Here, technology can play a pivotal role.

Through digital solutions, students can learn to view help-seeking as an integral part of their learning journey—an indicator of independence and mastery of learning strategies, rather than a sign of weakness. This skill can enhance both student well-being and academic performance.

Integrating support into daily life

The success of technology in supporting mental health depends largely on how trust in these solutions is built. Research shows that chatbots and other digital tools are most effective when they communicate empathetically and sincerely. Positive interactions with technology can strengthen students’ trust in its usefulness and practicality.

While cultural differences may influence how readily students adopt new technology, positive experiences can deepen trust and lower the barriers to use. When students receive support when they need it most, without unnecessary hurdles, technology becomes a natural part of their daily lives.

Personalized support reduces dropouts

Numerous pilot projects have shown how digital support can tangibly improve student well-being and retention. For example, in the vocational institution of Varia, the use of support chatbots has helped reduce dropout rates by providing students with individualized, easily accessible support.

Students can be categorized based on how they utilize digital support:

• Chatbot Advocates (47%): This group prefers using chatbots, finding them an easy way to seek help without needing to turn to a person.
• Human Interaction Enthusiasts (27%): This group prefers seeking help from a person, though they still see the value in chatbots.
• Independent Copers (27%): This group aims to manage without external help but will turn to human support if necessary.

This segmentation, or similar groupings, can help institutions tailor their support services more effectively.

AI and digital tools in mental health support

It is worth reflecting on how we can better support student well-being through technology. AI and digital tools don’t replace human interaction but can complement it by offering accessible, personalized support. Technology enables reaching a broader group of students while adapting to their individual needs and schedules.

As institutions adapt to rising mental health challenges, AI and digital solutions can offer significant support. By lowering the barriers to seeking help and making support more accessible, we can foster a more open culture around seeking help.

 

References:

Lappalainen, R. (2022). “Supporting Students with Digital Tools.” Enhancing Wellbeing Skills as Part of Higher Education at the University of Jyväskylä. Webinar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhce0ouSN8c

Merikko, J., Okkonen, M. & Vesalainen, J. (2022). “Would You Ask a Chatbot for Help?” Student Experiences with Support Chatbots in Vocational Education and High Schools. ITK Conference 2022. https://itk-konferenssi.fi/event/interaktiivinen-tekniikka-koulutuksessa-konerenssi-2022-2022-20-06-2022-10-07-135/track/pyytaisitko-apua-talta-botilta-opiskelijoiden-kokemuksia-tukibotista-ammatillisessa-koulutuksessa-seka-lukiossa-135750