ABSTRACT
In
recent years, university students have experienced a significant rise in mental
health challenges, often feeling isolated, stressed, and overwhelmed.
Traditional mental health services at universities are frequently limited by
availability, long waiting times, and the stigma that discourages some students
from seeking help. This increasing demand has underscored the urgent need for a
scalable, accessible, and non-judgmental support system that offers timely
guidance and mental health resources. To address these critical gaps, we
developed an AI-powered chatbot specifically designed to support the mental
health needs of students, offering them a supportive and confidential space to
engage and seek assistance. Our solution was built using the MERN stack—a
combination of MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js—chosen for its
robustness, scalability, and flexibility in handling both real-time
interactions and data management. MongoDB, a NoSQL database, was selected for
its ability to store and manage unstructured data, such as conversational logs
and user entries, which are essential for enhancing the chatbot’s learning and
responsiveness. Express.js and Node.js provide a powerful backend framework
that ensures smooth communication between the server and client, enabling the
chatbot to process requests quickly and maintain a seamless user experience.
React was used for the front-end interface, creating a responsive,
user-friendly platform that students can navigate easily, whether on mobile or
desktop. Our project objectives included designing a reliable and interactive
platform that provides a comprehensive range of mental health resources,
including self-help guides, stress management strategies, and quick access to
emergency contacts and counseling services. Additionally, we aimed to develop a
system that could detect early signs of distress and escalate responses in
crisis situations, facilitating timely referrals to professional support where
necessary. We used an Agile methodology, iteratively enhancing the chatbot's
capabilities based on continuous feedback from early testers and adapting to
evolving mental health needs. This approach allowed us to refine the bot’s
responses and add features that aligned more closely with students’ real-world
challenges. At the core of the chatbot's functionality is advanced natural
language processing (NLP), which enables it to engage in meaningful and
empathetic conversations with users. Through the use of NLP models, the chatbot
can understand context, respond appropriately, and detect sentiment, making
interactions feel more supportive and tailored to individual needs. Ethical considerations,
especially around privacy, confidentiality, and data security, were prioritized
to ensure that students feel safe using the chatbot without concerns about data
misuse. Results from initial testing indicate that the chatbot effectively
meets many mental health support needs of students. Users reported that the
platform was easy to use and appreciated its immediate availability, which
helped reduce feelings of isolation and encouraged proactive engagement with
mental health resources. By empowering students to manage stress, anxiety, and
other mental health concerns independently, the chatbot shows promise in
contributing to a healthier, more supportive campus environment. In sum, this
chatbot provides an accessible, scalable solution that complements traditional
mental health services. Its MERN stack foundation, combined with iterative
Agile development and a strong focus on user privacy, makes it a reliable and
adaptable resource for supporting the mental well-being of students within a
higher education setting.
UGWU, F (2024). Development Of Student Mental Health Support Chatbot:- Ugwu Rejoice F. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Dec 09, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/development-of-student-mental-health-support-chatbot-ugwu-rejoice-f-7-2
FELICIA, UGWU. "Development Of Student Mental Health Support Chatbot:- Ugwu Rejoice F" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 28 Nov. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/development-of-student-mental-health-support-chatbot-ugwu-rejoice-f-7-2. Accessed 09 Dec. 2024.
FELICIA, UGWU. "Development Of Student Mental Health Support Chatbot:- Ugwu Rejoice F". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 28 Nov. 2024. Web. 09 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/development-of-student-mental-health-support-chatbot-ugwu-rejoice-f-7-2 >.
FELICIA, UGWU. "Development Of Student Mental Health Support Chatbot:- Ugwu Rejoice F" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 09 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/development-of-student-mental-health-support-chatbot-ugwu-rejoice-f-7-2