Smart web interface for student mental health prediction using machine learning with blockchain technology

Abstract

Student mental health is becoming a growing global concern, with more students facing psychological stress, anxiety, and related disorders. These mental health challenges often develop gradually and, if ignored, can negatively affect a student's academic performance and personal life. Early detection is essential, but high costs, limited resources, and time constraints often hinder it. The study proposes a machine learning-based approach to predict and assess student mental health, addressing this problem. Using rich psychological and behavioral data, the system can identify early signs of mental distress. An extensive evaluation of 12 machine learning models identified the top six performers. Logistic regression, Decision Tree, Extra Tree, Adaboost, Gradient Boosting, and XGBoost. Among these, the fine-tuned Random Forest algorithm achieved the highest performance, with an impressive accuracy of 95.6%. To ensure practical implementation, a Streamlit-based application was developed. This application enables educators and mental health professionals to perform real-time analysis and receive predictions in a clear and user-friendly format. The study incorporates blockchain technology to ensure the secure handling of sensitive data. Data collected through the Web interface, such as responses to mental health questionnaires, is securely stored using blockchain technology. This integrated system offers a reliable and scalable solution for monitoring and supporting student mental health.