<p>The present study aims to examine depressive symptoms, academic stress, awareness of artificial intelligence (AI), and perceived usefulness and acceptability of AI-based mental health support among first-semester BA, B.Com., and B.Sc. female students at Government Mata Karma Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh). The study used primary data collected by the researcher. The original Excel data contained responses from a total of 50 female students: 20 BA, 20 B.Com., and 10 B.Sc. students. The questionnaire included 10 statements related to depression, 5 related to academic stress, 5 related to AI awareness, and 5 related to the usefulness/acceptability of AI-based mental health support. All valid responses were coded on an ordinal scale of 1&ndash;5, and ambiguous responses, such as multiple choices, were marked as missing.</p>

<p>For data analysis, mean, standard deviation (SD), percentage, one-way analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA), and Pearson correlation were employed. The findings indicated that the overall mean for depression-related symptoms among female students was 2.56/5 (SD=0.57). By course of study, the mean stood at 2.33 for B.A., 2.75 for B.Com., and 2.65 for B.Sc. Variations in the average depression scores were noted across courses, though a one-way ANOVA revealed that these differences were not statistically significant [F(2,47)=3.122, p=0.053].</p>

<p>The average score for AI awareness was 3.56 out of 5, and the average score for the perceived usefulness of AI-based mental health support was 3.67 out of 5. Additionally, a moderate, statistically significant positive correlation was observed between AI awareness and the perceived usefulness of AI-based mental health support (Pearson r=0.431, p=0.002). This finding suggests that higher AI awareness among the female students participating in the study corresponded to a relatively higher perceived usefulness of AI-based mental health support.</p>

<p>The study findings indicate a positive awareness and potential acceptance of AI-based mental health support among first-semester female students. However, since the current study did not include an actual AI-based mental health intervention and pre-test&ndash;post-test measurements, no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding the therapeutic or therapeutic effectiveness of AI. Therefore, AI is more appropriate to view as a means of providing early intervention, mental health information, self-monitoring, and access to appropriate specialist services when needed, rather than as a substitute for a mental health professional.</p>