Android-Based Smart Application Development for Adolescent Mental Health

Background: Mental health issues among adolescents, including anxiety and depression, are increasingly prevalent and can adversely affect their academic performance, social relationships, and quality of life. Utilizing technology for mental health interventions in adolescents is gaining traction as a response to these challenges. Methods: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a smart application on the Android platform designed to improve adolescent mental health using the ADDIE Model for instructional design. The study involved 201 respondents from various educational institutions across multiple Indonesian provinces. User perceptions were evaluated in terms of visual design, ease of operation, material presentation, and language usage, with data analyzed statistically. Results: The application received positive feedback on its visual aspects, with 97.50% of users rating it as good, though 2.50% suggested improvements. Usability was rated favorably by 94.82% of users, while 5.18% reported difficulties. Material presentation was appropriate for 97.50% of users, with 2.50% suggesting refinements. Language usage was easy for 96.50% of users, although 3.50% found it challenging. Discussion: The positive feedback indicates the application's potential as a valuable tool for adolescent mental health interventions. However, the suggestions for improvement highlight areas for enhancing visual design, usability, material presentation, and language accessibility. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of smart applications in supporting adolescent mental health, providing key insights for the development and refinement of digital mental health tools. The findings contribute to the broader field of digital mental health interventions, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and user-centered design.