2024-Development of Android-Based Application For Menta
2024-Development of Android-Based Application For Menta
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1 Introduction
Mental health problems have become an increasingly urgent concern worldwide, affecting
individuals from all sociocultural backgrounds [1]. The Philippines, like many other
countries, is facing the challenge of increasing prevalence of mental health problems and the
difficulties in providing adequate mental health services [2]. The Department of Health in
the Philippines has recognized mental health conditions as a disease, attributing this rise to
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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factors such as globalization and rapid urbanization [3]. The rise in mental health concerns
necessitates innovative solutions. Fortunately, remarkable progress in technological
advancements is driving a significant shift in the development of accessible mental health
services. One key innovation is the rise of teletherapy platforms, which offer remote delivery
of mental health services through video conferencing and phone calls [4].
According to the World Health Organization, one in four people will experience mental
or neurological disorders at some point in their lives [5]. This statistic reflects the fact that
approximately 1 billion people worldwide suffer from some sort of mental health issue. In
addition, approximately 15% of the adult population in the Philippines has reported the
lifetime presence of any mental disorder, and nearly 11% has experienced a mental disorder
within the past year, according to the Philippine National Survey on Mental Health and Well-
being [4]. While the Department of Health Center for Health Development - Caraga reports
only 5 mental health cases in Agusan del Norte for the year 2021, this data might not capture
the true prevalence due to the well-documented issue of underreporting in mental health
globally. Stigma surrounding mental health, limited access to services, and lack of awareness
are key contributors to the underrepresentation of reported cases [6]. Studies have highlighted
that barriers to utilizing mental health services include shame, sociocultural influences,
resource scarcity, and difficulties in accessing services [6]. Additionally, the relationship
between mental health literacy and stigma related to mental disorders has been explored in
different community settings [7]. While there is a wealth of research on mental health barriers
and stigma globally, studies specifically focusing on these issues in Butuan City, or the
Philippines, were limited. Understanding the unique sociocultural context and challenges
faced in these regions was crucial for developing effective interventions to address mental
health underreporting. Future research in Butuan City or the Philippines could delve into the
specific barriers to mental health service utilization, the impact of stigma on seeking help,
and strategies to improve mental health literacy and awareness within these communities.
Traditionally, mental health services primarily relied on in-person therapy sessions
conducted at healthcare facilities or private practices [8]. These sessions centered around
face-to-face interactions between mental health professionals and clients seeking support.
Recent years have witnessed a surge in innovative methods for engaging with mental health
services [9]. These advancements were driven by technology and include teletherapy
platforms, virtual support groups, and online communities [10]. Despite the established value
of in-person therapy, traditional mental health services face significant limitations [11]; [12].
One significant limitation is geographical barriers. Individuals residing in remote areas often
lacked access to qualified mental health professionals due to distance and limited availability
of services in their local communities [13].
Furthermore, the lack of a centralized platform for mental health services in the
Philippines, including regions like Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, created significant
challenges in accessing timely and appropriate care. While research specifically focused on
centralized platforms in the Philippines might be limited, studies examining teletherapy and
online mental health interventions highlighted the potential benefits of such platforms in
bridging accessibility gaps. Efforts to improve mental health services accessibility were
crucial. Innovative strategies, such as the development of centralized platforms that integrate
teletherapy and other online services, were crucial to bridge the gap in mental health service
provision [14]. Policymakers and healthcare providers were advised to explore the potential
of centralized platforms to connect individuals with mental health services, thereby
enhancing mental health outcomes in communities [15]; [16].
This study aimed to develop a platform that would act as an intermediary between
individuals seeking mental health support and the institutions providing mental health
services. The proposed platform had the potential to streamline the mental health services
and delivery process for clients seeking mental health support. It could also benefit
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organizations or agencies that provide mental health services by expanding their customer
base and reaching a wider audience.
2 Method
Fig. 1 illustrates the overall concept of the system. In the proposed application, the mental
health service providers will input specific details and service information, which will be
saved in cloud storage and could be viewed in the clients via the mobile application. In the
client’s interface, they can browse the available services offered by the health service
provider, view the service availability, description, price, discount, and office/clinic location.
While various development life cycle (SDLC) models existed, the proponents employed
an Agile approach, shown in Fig. 2. Agile methodologies prioritize iterative development
and continuous improvement, making them well-suited for projects with evolving
requirements like those often encountered in mental health applications. Planning, analysis,
design, implementation, and testing were crucial processes that the proponents completed.
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The flowchart for creating the appointment module within the application is shown in
Fig.3. The process starts with the user determining if they already have an account. If not,
they must register to create an account. Once a user has an account, they can log in and
proceed to search and browse for service providers based on their needs. After selecting a
service provider, the user can choose a service and then select a date and time for the
appointment. Once the appointment details are confirmed, the system automatically sends a
notification to the provider. The user can then receive updates about the appointment status
through the application.
Fig. 4 illustrates how mental health service providers interact with the application. This
includes account creation, setting profile information, payment details, and location
information within the account. Additionally, it depicts service and appointment management
functionalities.
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The context diagram shown in Fig. 5 indicates the mobile application’s functionalities
for clients and providers. Clients can browse/search services, schedule appointments, and
message providers. Providers can manage their location, information, services, and
appointments.
Fig. 6 illustrates the relationship between the actor and the functions running on the
system. The individual seeking mental health support is responsible for browsing, searching,
and booking appointments. On the other hand, the mental health service provider is also
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responsible for providing the exact location, posting the services they offer, and managing
appointments. By serving as a centralized platform, it streamlines the process of connecting
users with mental health service providers, making it easier for individuals to access the
services they need. The platform will also incorporate a database system to store and retrieve
information related to mental health service providers and user-client interactions. This
database will act as a central repository where all the relevant data provided by mental health
service providers, such as their exact location, post-service information, and appointment
schedules, will be securely stored.
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the application, providing scalability and capabilities beyond the limitations of a mobile
device [18].
For the development of the application, the proponents utilized the Android Studio
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) as the primary development platform. This
choice aligns with the target platform, as Android Studio offers comprehensive tools and
features specifically designed for building Android applications. Additionally, the
development process leveraged the functionalities of the Flutter plugin within Android
Studio, further streamlining the development of the application's front-end with Flutter [17].
The specific versions used in the project were Flutter Framework 3.16.9 and Dart 3.2.6. Dart
code implemented the app's functionalities within the mobile application. This included
processing user interactions (e.g., search queries, appointment bookings) and interfacing with
Firebase services. Dart code implemented the app's functionalities within the mobile
application. This included processing user interactions (e.g., search queries, appointment
bookings) and interfacing with Firebase services.
To ensure the application met the needs and expectations of its target audience [19] in
Butuan City, a thorough User Acceptance Testing (UAT) session was conducted. This UAT
session involved 100 local participants, encompassing both potential clients seeking mental
health services and mental health service providers who would be listed on the platform. This
mix will ensure the application caters to both user groups. Participants were invited to interact
with the prototype of the application and encouraged them to complete the tasks simulating
real-world usage scenarios (e.g., searching for services, booking appointments). Throughout
the testing session, the proponents observed the user interactions and gather feedback through
answering a survey questionnaire. This feedback focused on the application's usability,
intuitiveness, and overall user experience. For the testing, the result should reach the standard
average SUS score which is 70 to yield a Good adjectival rating, based on Table 1 on the
general guideline on SUS Score Interpretation adapted from [20].
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This section details the design decisions and functionalities implemented in the application.
Drawing on insights from extensive online research, the development team identified key
client and provider needs and their pain points related to mental health services. These
findings were strategically utilized to inform the development process, resulting in the
following key functionalities:
Login Screen: The landing screen features prominent buttons for user actions, including
Sign In, Forgot Password, and Sign up.
Privacy & Security Notice: The Privacy and Security Notice screen, displayed upon user
selection of the “Sign Up” button. This screen would inform new users on the following
aspects related to application: Data collection practices, data usage, and security measures.
Role Selection: The application’s role selection screen, displayed upon user selection of
the “Sign Up” button. This screen would allow new users to specify their intended role within
the platform. It presents two options: clients and mental health service providers.
Additionally, the screen offers a “Sign In” button for users who already possess existing
accounts.
Client Sign Up Screen: The application’s sign-up screen facilitates user account creation
for clients seeking mental health services. This screen prompts clients to enter the following
information: first name, last name, phone number, email address, password, password
confirmation, and a prominent “Create account” button that allows clients to submit their
information and complete the registration process.
Mental Health Service Provider Sign Up Screen: The application’s sign-up screen
facilitates user account creation for mental health service providers. This screen prompts
mental health service provider to enter the following information: display name, first name,
last name, phone number, email address, password, password confirmation, and a prominent
“Create account” button that allows mental health service provider to submit their
information and complete the registration process
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The following are the functional requirements identified for the application:
Search and Browse: The application’s clients home screen serves as the primary landing
page for users seeking mental health services. This screen displays a list of available mental
health service providers in a specific region. The list includes details such as provider display
image, provider display name, and provider's location. The client’s home screen also includes
functionality for the clients to search for a for a service provider or location.
Profile Management: The application's mental health service provider profile screen is
designed to showcase information about individual service providers. This screen likely
presents details about a specific provider, including profile information, service listings, and
functionalities through buttons for users to find provider locations and direct message the
mental health service provider.
Mental Health Services Provider Appointment: The application’s client appointments
screen, allowing users to view and manage their scheduled appointments with mental health
service providers. This screen likely presents a record of the user's appointments, including
details such as appointment date and time, provider name, and appointment status such as
pending, confirmed, done, and cancelled.
Direct Messaging: The application’s direct messaging, facilitating communication
between clients and their mental health service providers.
Client’s Appointment Management: The client’s appointment management allows the
client to check and monitor the status of their appointment.
Provider’s location: The application's Mental Health Service Provider’s location screen,
assisting clients in finding the physical office of a chosen provider. This screen likely
integrates with a mapping service to display an interactive map and route guidance.
Additionally, this screen provides supplemental information such as the provider's complete
address and contact details.
Service Management: The application manages services screen designed for mental
health service providers. This screen empowers providers to control the list of services they
offer through the platform. It likely displays a list of the provider's current services, with
functionalities such as service list, update details, delete service (per service), and add service
buttons that allow providers to easily expand their service list by adding new services
This section delves into the security, performance, and usability measures implemented in
the application. These measures were designed to address the non-functional requirements
with a specific focus on protecting user data, particularly client information and
communication with mental health providers.
3.3.1 Security
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Restricted Provider Access: The application enforces access control mechanisms. Only
mental health service providers explicitly selected by a client can view their information.
This restricts unauthorized access to client data and protects privacy.
3.3.2 Performance
The application aimed to deliver responsive and smooth performance across various Android
devices and network conditions. This was achieved by:
Utilizing Dart and Flutter: The application was built using Dart, a programming language
known for its performance and ability to compile into native code. Additionally, the Flutter
framework facilitated efficient UI rendering [17]. These choices potentially resulted in
smooth application performance compared to interpreted languages.
Optimizations for Network Conditions: Techniques like lazy loading (loading data only
when needed) and caching frequently accessed data were employed to minimize network
traffic and improve performance on slower connections. Image compression and resizing for
different screen sizes further optimized data usage and performance, especially on devices
with limited bandwidth.
3.3.3 Usability
The application prioritized a user-friendly design that catered to users with diverse technical
backgrounds:
Simple and Clean Interface: The UI utilizes a clean and uncluttered design, minimizing visual
complexity. This promotes ease of use and reduces the cognitive load for users with limited
technical experience.
Clear Navigation: A clear and intuitive navigation system allows users to find desired
functionalities effortlessly. This could involve implementing a consistent navigation bar or
menu system with easily identifiable icons and labels.
Addressing Different User Needs: The client-facing interface focused on functionalities like
searching for providers, scheduling appointments, and communicating with chosen
providers. The provider interface catered to managing appointment schedules, client profiles,
and secure communication with clients.
The successful testing of the application hinged on a well-defined set of functionalities [21].
This served as the foundation for a comprehensive testing process. Each functionality was
thoroughly evaluated to ensure it met the design specifications and addressed the identified
user needs. These capabilities covered a variety of important tasks, including:
User Authentication: This process verified a user's identity before granting them access
to the system, typically involving a username or email address and a password. Additionally,
a robust user authentication system included a "forgot password" functionality to assist users
in recovering lost credentials and regaining access to their accounts.
Browsing/Searching Service Provider: This functionality focused on the client's
discovery of mental health service providers through a comprehensive search and filtering
system. It empowered clients to locate providers who best aligned with their specific needs
and preferences [22].
Schedule Appointment: This functionality enabled clients to conveniently book
appointments directly within the application.
Locating Mental Health Service Provider: This functionality provided clients with an
effective tool to locate the exact location of the Mental Health Service Provider.
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Service Management: This functionality provided full capabilities for managing the
service information, allowing the mental health service provider to add, update, and delete
service data as needed.
Appointment Management: This functionality provided full capabilities for managing the
appointments, allowing the mental health service provider to organize the appointments
based on the status of the appointments.
Direct Messaging: This functionality facilitated secure and confidential communication
between clients and mental health service providers through a dedicated in-app messaging
feature.
Set Location: This functionality empowered mental health service providers to manage
their location information within the platform.
with clients.
3.5 Results
During the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) session, a development phase wherein if testing
results meet the acceptance criteria, the software system can be released for operational use
[23], the participants interacted with a prototype or early build of the application. They were
encouraged to complete tasks simulating real-world usage scenarios, such as searching for
services and booking appointments. Proponents closely observed user interaction and
gathered feedback through surveys or questionnaires. To ensure the application met the needs
and expectations of its target audience in Butuan City, a thorough User Acceptance Testing
(UAT) session was conducted with at least 100 potential users in Butuan City. Including two
mental health service providers the CSU Guidance and Counseling Office and Gestalt
Psychological Center Butuan City. Participants evaluated the system's ease of use and
learnability through the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. This established tool
employs a 10-statement, 5-point Likert scale ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly
agree," allowing participants to gauge their level of agreement with various usability aspects
of the application.
Fig. 8 presents the system's majority "A" and "B" grades based on the guidelines for
interpreting SUS scores. The SUS survey includes 10 statements, divided into odd-numbered
and even-numbered questions for computational purposes. "X" represents the sum of all odd-
numbered questions (SUS1, SUS3, SUS5, SUS7, and SUS9), while "Y" represents the sum
of even-numbered questions (SUS2, SUS4, SUS6, SUS8, and SUS10). Upon acquiring the
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sums of X and Y, the calculation proceeds to derive "X0" and "Y0." Specifically, X0 is
obtained by subtracting 5 from the sum of all points in odd-numbered questions, while Y0 is
derived by subtracting 25 from the sum of points in all even-numbered questions. Following
this, SUS scores are computed by adding "X0" and "Y0" multiplied by 2.5. The weighted
mean average is computed by summing all SUS scores, resulting in a total of 8,462.50, and
dividing by the number of respondents, which is 100. The overall weighted mean SUS score
of 84.625 suggests that both potential clients and mental health service providers are more
likely to use the system for accessing mental health services and enhancing efficiency in their
work. This high score highlights the system's usability and successful implementation.
4 Conclusion
An evaluation of the mobile application’s usability was conducted using the System Usability
Scale (SUS) survey. The survey results yielded an overall weighted mean of 84.625,
translating to an adjective rating of "Excellent." This high score indicates a strong level of
agreement among the 100 respondents (including potential clients and mental health service
providers in Butuan City) regarding the application's usability. These findings suggest that
users perceive the mobile application as a user-friendly and intuitive platform. This is further
supported by the qualitative feedback obtained during the usability study. Respondents
highlighted the application's value in addressing current challenges faced by both clients and
mental health service providers. The streamlined processes for appointment scheduling,
provider search, service search, and physical office location were identified as key features
that can potentially reduce time, effort, and workload for all both clients and mental health
service providers.
The proponents concluded that the positive results from this study highlight the potential
of integrating technologies into mental health services. However, they also acknowledge the
need for further research to explore the long-term impact and broader applications of such
integrations within the mental health field.
Additionally, the proponents emphasized the critical importance of considering data privacy
and security throughout the development and implementation of mental health applications.
Safeguarding client information must be a top priority to ensure user trust and ethical
practices in this sensitive domain.
In conclusion, the mobile application demonstrates the promise of technology in
improving access to mental health services. As the field evolves, it is crucial to prioritize
further research and development efforts while upholding the highest standards of data
privacy and security for all users. It is also important to consider the inclusion of all significant
groups in the community as they may contribute to the overall design and impact in the implementation
of the application [4]. Moreover, the government may also consider crafting and implementing
healthcare regulations and ethical guidelines relative to the implementation of the mobile application
and integration of the same to the national healthcare system. This is to ensure that medical services
are accessible to everyone in the community [24]. Data privacy and security is another consideration,
ensuring protection of both patients and healthcare providers [25].
We sincerely thank our colleagues and mentors for their unwavering support and guidance throughout
this research. Their support motivated us to push through and get through all the hurdles in conducting
this research. Our gratitude also goes to the participants for their time and insights, which were essential
to this study. We extend our deepest gratitude to each of the authors for their invaluable contributions.
From the inception of the research to its successful conclusion, their collective efforts and equal
participation have significantly enriched this work. Finally, we appreciate the resources provided by
Caraga State University, our department and college, without which this research would not have been
possible.
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