Development of SmartMindKSU Application for Preliminary Depression Screening among University Students at Kalasin University

Abstract

This study aimed to develop the SmartMindKSU application for preliminary depression screening among undergraduate students at Kalasin University and to evaluate user satisfaction with the application. The research was conducted following the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) framework, consisting of six stages. The sample comprised 200 undergraduate students from Kalasin University (Namon Campus), selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments included a general information questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and a user satisfaction questionnaire. The results indicated that the SmartMindKSU application functioned accurately as designed, allowing users to conduct self-assessment for depression. The system automatically classified depression severity levels and provided appropriate preliminary recommendations. The PHQ-9 assessment revealed that 67.5% of students had no depression, 20.5% had mild depression, and 12.0% had moderate to severe depression. For students identified with moderate to severe depression, the application provided guidance and referral information to the university’s mental health counseling services. User satisfaction with the application was rated at a very high level (mean = 4.55, S.D. = 0.49). These findings demonstrate that the SmartMindKSU application is an effective digital tool for preventive mental health promotion and can serve as a guideline for developing depression surveillance systems within higher education institutions.