Background

Digital mental health tools, including AI apps, are becoming popular for helping people with mental health issues. However, we need to understand how well these tools work for students who may be struggling.

Objectives

This study looked at two AI tools: GymBuddy, a fitness and accountability app, and Elomia, a mental health chatbot. We wanted to see how these tools could improve the mental health of students at risk for psychological distress.

Methodology

We conducted a study with 65 participants who showed signs of psychological distress but did not have a formal diagnosis. Participants were divided into two groups: one used GymBuddy and Elomia for mental health support, while the other group did not use these tools. We measured their mental health before, during, and after the study using standard tests.

Results

The results showed significant improvements in mental health for those using GymBuddy and Elomia. Participants reported lower levels of:

Somatic symptoms
Anxiety and insomnia
Social dysfunction
Severe depression

These improvements were much greater compared to the control group, indicating that the AI tools were effective in reducing psychological distress.

Conclusions

The study suggests that AI tools like GymBuddy and Elomia can effectively help students manage their mental health. These tools provide personalized support, which is very important for students. More research is needed to understand the long-term benefits and how to best use these tools in schools.