ACAPP: A Mental Health Application for the Well-Being of Filipino University Students

Abstract

A recent study found that 75% of university students experienced severe psychological distress, while 25% experienced mild to moderate levels of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic [1]. Factors such as academic, personal, and familyrelated issues contribute to psychological distress among college students, leading to physical, emotional, and psychological strain that negatively impacts their overall well-being and functioning. ACAPP, a responsive web application, has been developed to address these challenges by fostering self-awareness, cultivating healthy habits, and equipping student users with effective well-being strategies. While online mental health applications already exist, student engagement with such platforms tends to be low. To overcome this issue, ACAPP introduces a menu-based assistant feature that offers an interactive experience, aiming to enhance user engagement.