Mobile Apps and Mental Health in Educational Institutions: Usage and Effectiveness
Keywords:
Anxiety, Cognitive-behavioral therapy, Depression, Mental health, Educational institutions, Mindfulness Mobile health apps,Abstract
Mental health challenges among students in educational institutions have escalated alarmingly, exacerbated further by pandemic-induced disruptions and associated psychosocial stresses. Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) have emerged as promising tools to bridge gaps in mental health care delivery, offering scalable, accessible, and personalized interventions tailored to this tech-savvy population. This study systematically reviews current evidence on the usage patterns, effectiveness, and user engagement of mobile mental health apps deployed within educational contexts. The integration of cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy techniques in these apps have demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms among students. However, challenges related to user retention, cultural appropriateness, privacy concerns, and integration with traditional counseling services persist. Analysis of research predominantly conducted in North America, Europe, and increasingly in Asian countries, including Pakistan and Malaysia, indicates positive but variable efficacy outcomes. This review further highlights the need for culturally adapted evidence-based mobile interventions combined with human support elements to optimize mental health outcomes. Recommendations for future app development, research directions, and policy implications for embedding mHealth in educational institutions are discussed.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Anqa Arshad, Nimra Mubeen
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