New research by the charity, Mind, has found that 18% of people had used AI chatbots to support their mental health in the last 12 months and 60% used chatbots instead of more formal support like NHS talking therapies. The reasons may be that 31% preferred AI support over formal support, 18% could not access support and 11% said existing support did not meet their needs.
When you are awake at night worrying about work, money, or loneliness, your friends are hopefully are asleep, you are on a waiting list for therapy, and support feels out of reach, an app, may be a solution, you receive an instant reply.
Specialised AI chatbots are available for mental health advice, emotional support, and a safe space to vent. How good are they? Are they safe?
Are AI chatbots a useful stopgap for an overstretched mental health system, or do they risk creating a misleading sense of support?
This rise of “AI therapy” is possibly because of gaps in traditional healthcare. Therapy requires appointments and waiting lists can be large and some therapies are not available free at the point of access.
Our research highlights just how rapidly this dynamic is shifting, particularly among demographics that historically avoid seeking mental health care.
It is considered that young adults and men are more likely to use ‘AI therapy’.
However, do not dismiss this completely as it can be used to begin emotional processing when you are stuck or finding it difficult to start and it can help identify some emotions.
You could use AI for rehearsing having a difficult conversation at work.
It is important to keep aware that AI cannot diagnose illness, detect a crisis, or replace the trust and judgment of a trained professional. It can sound empathetic without understanding emotion. It may reinforce unhelpful thinking. It can mishandle sensitive personal data. For severe distress, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, mania, eating disorders, or symptoms that persist or disrupt daily life, professional support remains essential.
Consider AI as an interactive workbook. It can give you access to basic coping mechanisms and offering immediate emotional processing.
The bot will echo the words of validation you need to hear, but it cannot assist you when there is distress or illness. Use the technology to ground your thoughts.
You can find more accurate information here, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/ai-and-mental-health/
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/ai-and-mental-health
https://www.mind.org.uk/about-us/our-policy-work/mental-health-in-the-age-of-ai-commission