aceAI-based mental health tools for university students in Qatar for stress management and support
Source article: Exploring Students’ Perceptions and Usage of Artificial Intelligence in Supporting Mental Health: A Preliminary Study in Higher Education in Qatar
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in mental health care for screening, monitoring, and intervention. Notably, most studies of AI in mental health have been performed in Western contexts, with limited evidence from the Arab Gulf region, where cultural factors such as stigma, privacy, and help-seeking norms may influence acceptance. Objective: Investigating university students’ perceptions of AI in mental health support, including awareness, trust, readiness, and preferences in a Gulf context…
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On 2026-05-06 a peer-reviewed survey study reported results from 220 university students in Qatar about AI in mental health support. Students reported low-to-moderate awareness and trust, said they were prepared to use AI for stress management but did not want it to replace face-to-face therapy, and cited benefits of cost reduction and 24/7 accessibility alongside concerns about human interaction, overreliance and diagnostic accuracy.
The findings matter because they suggest cautious, complementary adoption rather than replacement of human care in a Gulf context where privacy and stigma influence help-seeking. Uncertainty remains about whether stated readiness translates into sustained use or improved outcomes, and results are bounded by the preliminary cross-sectional design in a single student population.
- Survey of 220 university students in Qatar examined awareness, trust, readiness and preferences for AI in mental health support.
- Results showed low-to-moderate awareness and trust, with readiness for stress management but preference not to replace face-to-face therapy.
- Analysis used descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA; no significant differences across gender or academic level.
University students in Qatar reported willingness to use AI-based mental health tools for stress management as a complement to human care, valuing lower cost and round-the-clock access.
Students in Qatar reported low-to-moderate trust in AI-based mental health tools and concerns about loss of human interaction, overreliance on technology, and diagnostic accuracy.
The rundown
The study was motivated by limited evidence from the Arab Gulf region where stigma, privacy and help-seeking norms may shape acceptance, noting that most prior work was in Western contexts. It measured awareness, trust, readiness and preferences.
A significant association was found between readiness and expectations with p < 0.00001, described as ambivalence toward AI effectiveness, while gender and academic level showed no significant differences. Authors conclude AI is best as a supplementary tool within ethically regulated, culturally attuned hybrid care frameworks.
Findings are from a preliminary cross-sectional survey of 220 students in one Gulf country, limiting generalizability beyond this student population and time point.
Sources
- Peer-reviewedHealthcare2026-05-06
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