New Journal Publication! Designing evidence-based digital mental health check-ins in higher education
Our newest journal publication, “Designing evidence-based digital mental health check-ins in higher education,” is officially published in Academia Mental Health and Well-Being!
Introduction: Due to the urgent need for more sustainable support for post-secondary student mental health, many institutions are exploring alternative ideas for intervention, such as the role of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and wellness apps. However, if technological programs or devices are used for student mental health, their design and delivery should align with research on student well-being, best practices in psychological interventions, and learning theories.
Materials and methods: This study used a case study approach to examine how cognitive, industrial, and positive psychology principles can inform the design and delivery of mental health apps and programs. An emerging platform from Denmark, StudentPulse, which has students complete mental health check-ins, was examined using a comparison analysis approach between design features and research on post-secondary wellness and learning.
Results: The analysis revealed how the platform’s features are rooted in three areas of psychological wellness: cognitive, positive, and industrial. This included design features such as AI-trained responses for students that provide immediate feedback, choice, reflection, and flourishing questions. The feedback design is based on cognitive principles of retention, attention, and motivation.
Conclusions: As post-secondary institutions continue to adopt technological tools that support student mental health, these tools must be grounded in psychological principles to ensure they minimize harm and promote student wellness. The study recommends that wellness-based technologies incorporate evidence-based research in mental health, learning, and psychology in their design and implementation.
Citation: Westley, M., Laffier, J., Rehman, A., Eriksen, G., Sønderby, R., & Sørdahl, M. (2026). Designing evidence-based digital mental health check-ins in higher education. Academia Mental Health and Well-Being, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.20935/MHealthWellB8157
