Opportunities And Challenges: Leveraging ICT-Integrated Counseling To Address The Mental Health Needs Of Disaster-Affected University Students

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) has significantly transformed the delivery of mental health services, enabling creative methods to address behavioral and emotional issues. This review article focuses on the potential of ICT-integrated counseling to support the mental health and well-being of university students, particularly those affected by disasters. The author reviewed previously published articles in journals and provided up-to-date knowledge on the common article that presents ICT-integrated counseling: concepts and frameworks, effectiveness of ICT-integrated counseling, evaluation of ICT-integrated counseling programs for students, challenges in implementing ICT-integrated counseling, ICT-integrated counseling in academic settings, and future directions. The writing process took 6 months (between February 2024 and August 2024). The author searched databases such as Scopus index journals, Google Scholar, PubMed, Z-Library, Publon, MedLine, and JSTOR and obtained original and review articles published in various journals and textbooks. Conclusively, ICT-integrated personal and social therapy is a groundbreaking approach for addressing behavioral problems and emotional turmoil in adolescents affected by disasters. These therapies can increase the efficacy and accessibility of mental health care by integrating digital technologies and culturally appropriate processes. It is essential to confront the challenges and ethical concerns associated with ICT-based counseling as technology advances, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the necessary assistance to thrive. By addressing these critical elements, the review demonstrated the ability to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits and limitations of integrating ICT into mental health services for disaster-affected university communities.