Serenitech: A Technology-Integrated Virtual Counseling Safe Environment for PSU Alaminos City Campus

Abstract

The Serenitech system addressed the critical challenges faced by guidance counselors and students, focusing on enhancing the accessibility, privacy, and efficiency of mental health services within educational institutions. Using the Agile development methodology, this study aimed to design and develop a robust platform that integrated essential features such as virtual counseling sessions, appointment scheduling, and a digital resource hub. The system was specifically developed to provide students with a safer and more convenient environment for seeking guidance and counseling services while improving the workflow and management processes of counselors and administrators. Through interviews, observations, and document analysis, insights were gathered regarding the limitations of the existing manual counseling processes, including delays in scheduling, difficulties in record management, limited accessibility, and the barriers caused by stigma and privacy concerns. A purposive and convenience sampling method was employed to select respondents, resulting in a total of 50 participants, including guidance counselors, staff, IT experts, and students. The developed system was evaluated using the ISO 25010 Software Quality Standards to assess its user acceptability and software quality characteristics, including functional suitability, performance efficiency, compatibility, usability, reliability, security, maintainability, and portability. Weighted mean analysis was utilized to analyze respondent evaluations and determine the overall acceptability of the system. Findings revealed that the developed system improved accessibility to counseling services, streamlined appointment management, and promoted confidentiality for students seeking assistance. By addressing the inefficiencies in documentation, scheduling, and service delivery, this study contributed to the modernization of school counseling systems and empowered students to seek help without hesitation while supporting institutions in providing more effective, accessible, and technology-driven mental health services that support accessible, confidential, and technology-driven counseling service delivery within educational institutions.