A pilot study of the AKBAY mobile app for the mental health of university students

Purpose This study sought to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of “AKBAY,” a self-help mobile application for young people with moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Design/methodology/approach A pilot study was conducted, recruiting 31 university students aged 18–25 from their classes. The primary outcomes (depressive symptoms and anxiety) were measured through PHQ-9 and GAD-7, respectively, at pre-intervention and post-intervention (eight weeks after the pre-intervention). The feasibility of the mobile app was assessed through Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Findings The results demonstrate a significant reduction in both depressive symptoms and symptoms of anxiety following the use of the AKBAY self-help mobile app. Also, qualitative feedback and through MARS indicated a high level of acceptability for the app and reported increased personal and emotional insights. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility and acceptability of the AKBAY mobile app as an intervention for university students experiencing moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Originality/value This study provided mental health resources and support in an innovative method of addressing mental health concerns of Filipino university students, mainly where access to traditional mental health services is limited.