The increasing occurrence of mental health issues among college students has led to the investigation of new technological solutions for psychological support. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based mental health applications, such as Wysa, Woebot and Youper, have surfaced as accessible and confidential resources for managing stress, anxiety and emotional challenges. This qualitative study aims to examine students’ experiences, perceptions and attitudes regarding the use of AI-enabled mental health tools. Using a qualitative research design, data were gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with college students from various institutions in Coimbatore District. The study seeks to understand how AI applications affect students’ emotional well-being, coping strategies and help-seeking behaviors. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes related to trust, empathy, accessibility and ethical issues associated with AI-driven mental health interventions. Findings indicate that many students view AI mental health apps as convenient and non-judgmental platforms that provide immediate emotional support and opportunities for self-reflection. However, concerns about data privacy, the absence of human empathy and limited contextual understanding were also noted. The study emphasizes the need for more culturally sensitive, ethically transparent and emotionally intelligent AI systems to effectively meet student mental health needs. Overall, the research enhances the understanding of how digital mental health innovations are transforming emotional well-being support for youth in higher education, particularly in the Coimbatore District context.
Artificial Intelligence, Mental Health Apps and College students.
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