Adaptive AI-driven framework for digital mental health interventions in low-resource universities

Abstract

Mental health problems affect nearly half of university students worldwide, with around 20% reporting depressive symptoms and over 40% showing signs of anxiety. This burden is particularly acute in low-resource universities, where limited infrastructure and minimal investment in mental health restrict access to effective care. To address this gap, this study applies a projective research approach, defined as the design of evidence-based solutions without immediate empirical implementation. A systematic review of 402 scientific articles was carried out across major databases, from which 15 met strict inclusion criteria. The analysis identified recurrent barriers such as unstable internet connectivity, devices with less than 2 GB RAM, and the absence of regulatory frameworks governing AI in education. Based on these findings, an adaptive intervention model was proposed, integrating artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) to deliver personalized psychological support directly on local devices, without requiring permanent connectivity. The proposed system demonstrated potential to reduce anxiety and depression scores by 15–25% in controlled studies and achieved prediction accuracies above 80% for stress and loneliness detection. This framework provides a scalable foundation for universities in developing contexts, contributing to equity in access to digital mental health services.