UGM Students Create Anxiety-Relieving Snack Bar and Mental Health App

A team of students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has developed an innovative approach to addressing the youth mental health crisis by combining a functional snack bar with a digital metacognitive system. The snack bar, named CalmBar, is formulated with natural ingredients such as mung beans, pumpkin seeds, duckweed, peanuts, peppermint, honey, raisins, and virgin coconut oil. These components were selected for their content of plant-based protein, magnesium, iron, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds like GABA, tryptophan, and menthol, which are believed to support nervous system function and emotional regulation. The team explained that the product integrates nutritional neuroscience with sensory grounding techniques, including breathing exercises and the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method printed on the packaging. Complementing the snack bar is SELF-SCAN, a digital application designed using an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) approach. The app features tools such as an Algorithmic Trigger Radar, an Auditor, and Pattern Intelligence to help users identify anxiety triggers, engage in self-reflection, and build long-term mental resilience. The team stated that the goal is to transform mental health management from a reactive to a preventive model by embedding support into daily activities like eating and smartphone use. The dual innovation earned a Silver Medal in the Sub Health Theme, a Silver Medal in the Sub Food Theme, and the Favorite Poster award in the Sub Food Theme at the 5th International Youth Summit (IYS) 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The students expressed hope that the project will progress beyond the competition stage into further research, prototype development, and real-world implementation.