MENTEK-AI: A FRAMEWORK TO PREVENT EMOTIONAL HEALTH ISSUES IN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
J. Gaviria de la Puerta, U. Baeza, M. Linares, E. Pinedo, A. Blanquez, I. López de Ugalde
Mentek-AI, developed by Centro San Luis in Bilbao, is an innovative tool designed to address emotional health issues and prevent suicide in educational environments. The project arises in response to the alarming increase in mental and behavioral disorders among adolescents, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing need for psychological support in schools. Reports indicate that nearly 45,000 minors in the Basque Country suffer from mental health conditions, with suicide now the leading cause of death among young people in Spain.
Mentek-AI comprises two interconnected applications tailored for different users. The first is an application aimed at individuals responsible for the socio-emotional care of students, which uses artificial intelligence trained with protocols to detect specific risks. This tool provides early detection capabilities, allowing for the interpretation of emotional data and planning of targeted interventions. It generates valuable insights for educational staff, even in institutions without dedicated psychologists, enabling the identification of individual and group emotional patterns.
The second app, designed for students, integrates gamification to collect emotional well-being data in an engaging and interactive way. Students complete daily tasks and missions in virtual scenarios while the app gathers behavioral information. Personalized resources are provided, such as emotional health reports, multimedia self-care techniques, and conversational guidance powered by generative AI.
Developed using agile methodologies and a multidisciplinary team, Mentek-AI was prototyped in early 2023, with broader deployment planned for 2024. Initial trials in vocational training groups showed its potential to enhance the understanding of social anxiety and emotional states, demonstrating its effectiveness in educational settings. By leveraging artificial intelligence and gamification, the application enables large-scale outreach and meaningful support for students and educators.
Mentek-AI aligns with strategic goals emphasizing emotional well-being and innovative technologies, as outlined in the VI Basque Vocational Training Plan. It has been designed for scalability and transferability, with plans to expand across all vocational training centers in the Basque Country within 2025, eventually reaching over one million students nationwide. The initiative has received support from regional authorities and has been recognized for its significant social impact.
By integrating cutting-edge technologies with evidence-based practices, Mentek-AI sets a new standard for promoting emotional health in schools, bridging gaps in psychological resources, and fostering sustainable, large-scale knowledge transfer across educational institutions.
Keywords: Emotional Health, Artificial Intelligence, Serious Games, Education, Mental Disorders, Behavioral Disorders.