User-Centered Design of Mica, a Mental Health App Supporting Students in Higher Education

Abstract

Mental health challenges disproportionately affect Swiss university students, driven by academic, financial, and personal stressors. This study presents mica, a mental health app tailored to students, developed through a user-centered design approach. Insights from a survey of 102 students, expert interviews, and usability testing informed the app’s key features: access to local mental health resources, a self-assessment tool, organizational aid, and multimedia content. The non-functional prototype incorporates 13 functional and 3 non-functional requirements, refined through iterative testing. Unlike existing solutions, mica integrates regional counseling services with a student-focused design. While promising, the study's limitations include sample bias and a short survey period. Future work will validate findings through broader surveys and explore advanced features like conversational agents. Mica aspires to destigmatize mental health and offer accessible support to Swiss students.