A Pilot Evaluation Study on the Use of a Mobile Application to Support Psychological Wellbeing and Mental Health Literacy Among Medical Student in Universiti Putra Malaysia

Background: There is growing recognition of the importance of addressing the gaps in psychological well-being and mental health literacy among university students using artificial intelligence (AI)-based programs. We conducted a pilot study to examine the effectiveness of an AI-powered application on mental health, well-being, and mental health literacy among medical undergraduate students. Methods: Questionnaires to measure changes in mental health literacy and well-being were administered to participants before and after using the Zoala application for a month to measure changes in mental health literacy and well-being. Usage and access rates of the Zoala application were recorded by Zoala Pte Ltd to evaluate engagement and user interaction with the app. Focus group discussions were conducted to identify areas for improvement and to enhance the application's effectiveness. Results: Mental health literacy improved significantly in two domains: Recognition of Disorders ( p<0.05 ) and Knowledge of How to Seek Mental Health ( p<0.05 ). There were no significant differences in anxiety, depression, or well-being between pre- and post-assessment. No other MHLS domains showed significant change. The technical data showed a high engagement rate, with participants frequently accessing the application and utilizing its features. The FGDs revealed valuable insights into the application's user experience. Participants appreciated the comprehensive mental health resources provided by the app, but they also identified areas for improvement, such as the need for more interactive features and personalized content. Conclusion: Zoala demonstrated meaningful potential to improve specific aspects of mental health literacy among medical students. These findings suggest Zoala may serve as an accessible digital support tool, with future research needed to evaluate long-term psychological and behavioral outcomes.