The Implications of AI on Mental Health

                 I have been intrigued by some of the uses of AI (Artificial Intelligence). I became more intrigued when I heard that it can be used for mental health. Despite my intrigue, I was skeptical. What I found indicates that there are positives and negatives to the use of AI with mental health. It seems that even though there are some positive possibilities, AI cannot replace the human aspect of mental health support. Let’s take a look at some of the positives and negatives.

                  We first need to ensure that if AI is going to be used to support individuals with mental illness, the integration of AI needs to follow ethics, be transparent, and have human oversight. AI should not be used in isolation for mental health support. The people who use AI in this way, need to understand the risks and limitations of its use. Mental health safeguards need to be in place. Ethical guidelines need to be followed. In addition, data needs to be protected. While I have not researched the specifics, AI does collect data. So, using it for mental health would include allowing your information to be collected. 

                  One positive implication of AI on mental health is improved access. There are AI chatbots and digital therapists that can provide 24/7 emotional support and early intervention. This can be useful in areas where services are scarce or where receiving services is stigmatized. These AI tools can track moods, help a person practice CBT techniques, and allow a person to receive crisis resources quickly. While these sound great, I am hesitant to support the use of AI chatbots and digital therapists. I would rather a person call the 988 lifeline. I just do not think a computer or AI can replace a human. It certainly cannot replace a human psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. In a mental health emergency, I would rather rely on a human than a computer. 988 provides the human connection that AI cannot.

                  Another positive mental health implication that is listed for AI is the ability to detect signs of depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation early. AI can analyze speech, facial expressions, and social media activity. This analysis would allow it to detect warning signs early. Again, while this seems like a positive, I do not think I would want anyone relying on this. There are AI-assisted tools that mental health providers can utilize to identify at-risk individuals and to personalize treatment. These tools include Mindstrong, Ellipsis Health, and general screening/monitoring platforms that continuously monitor biomarkers, texts, and usage. Please note that I do not have specific information on these tools, and I am not endorsing them. I am simply noting that they exist. I would much rather these tools be used by a provider than having an individual with a mental illness rely on AI by themselves. 

                  There are noted negative implications of the use of AI for mental health. First, it can lead to an overreliance on AI companions, which would lead to a reduction in interaction. The lack of human interaction could potentially worsen symptoms. It might increase loneliness and increase social anxiety. If a person is relying on AI companions, such as AI “friends” or “therapists”, a sense of false intimacy may develop. There is no genuine empathy with AI, which can negatively impact a person with a mental illness. 

                  Another negative implication involves privacy and trust. Mental health data that is input into AI can be misused or leaked. An individual using an AI program for mental health does not know where their data is being stored or who has access to it. I would not want my personal mental health data out there in cyberspace being used in ways I did not intend for it to be used. 

                  A third negative implication is the possibility of misinterpretation of cultural or linguistic expressions of distress. This can lead to the neglect of some vulnerable groups. It can lead to misclassification of disorders and biased diagnoses. 

                  Finally, reliance on AI leads to a person being exposed to continuous curated content. In other words, too much exposure to social media platforms that utilize AI. There is a lot of research available about the overuse of social media. Too much social media or other internet content is not healthy for anyone. 

                  When used correctly by mental health professionals as a supportive tool AI can have positive implications for mental health. The key is that human connection and empathy need to remain at the core. I realize that not everyone has access to mental health care, or they might be in area where that service is stigmatized. As I mentioned earlier, I think 988 is a better alternative to AI. Yes, humans can make mistakes just like AI, but I would rather place my trust in a trained human than an AI program relying on algorithms. 

                  The use of AI is not going away. In fact, it will likely grow. I do believe that AI has a role in our society. I use it for research. However, when I use AI, I am aware that it is just a tool. I think in the realm of mental health, this tool is best utilized as a support used by mental health professionals as part of their treatment tools. Mental health is an area that is rooted in human connection. While AI can be helpful, I caution against allowing it to replace human support. 

 

My Old Self Wouldn’t Recognize Me

“…reading old journal entries and I know her, but she doesn’t know me.”

 

A social media friend posted this quote the other day.  It made me think about my long-time journal work. I have more old journals than I can count. So, I took some time to think about the writings that have carried me through so much over the years.  As I reflected, I realized how much I have grown through my journaling practice. 

My early journaling practice started when I was a teenager. I wrote poems in red spiral notebooks. I still have those notebooks. It was not traditional journaling, but it served the purpose of journaling for me. While I am not comfortable going back and reading those journals at this point in my life, I remember the ideas and tone of the content. Depression had entered my life. I was struggling. Everything I wrote was an acknowledgement of that struggle. The pain ran deep. At that time, I only saw darkness and my poems reflected that. Death was a frequent theme. It was a painful time and my journals, those red spiral notebooks, carried that pain. 

If the girl I was then could see the woman I am today, she would have difficulty recognizing me. Yes, depression is still a part of my life, but my world is much less dark overall. Sure, there are moments the girl I was then would recognize, but I have learned to cope with the depression.

As I moved on from my teenage years, I continued writing. At some points I found myself journaling more than others. I remember all those years and all those journals. There were so many words written about living with depression and anxiety. My journals were a place of escape, a place to find a haven for my thoughts. The younger me who wrote those words would not believe that I now write about more than my pain. My writing about depression has turned into a healing practice. 

This is not to say that I do not still feel the pain and darkness of depression. I do, but I have learned to use my writing as more than just an escape. My younger self likely would not understand because writing, journaling, was her escape. I have found that writing is healing. Perhaps, in a way, it was then, too. I just did not know it 

 Now, when I journal, I explore what I am experiencing. I go beyond the darkness of depression. I ask depression questions. Sometimes the answers find their way into other writings like this blog and my books. I have learned that by sharing my writing I am not only helping myself, but I can help others. 

I journal every day. It is a part of my healing toolbox. Maybe I should I write a letter to my teenage self. I could comfort her in a way I was not comforted then. I think earlier versions of myself would be amazed at the way journaling and writing in general, have carried me through difficult times. She would never have thought the words she scribbled in the many journals would have allowed me to evolve into the woman I am today. I have lived with depression. I have written about my depression on what may be near thousands of pages. That is hard for even present day me to believe. 

Journaling is powerful. I have written about journaling on this blog in the past (The Practice of Journaling). I share pieces of my journal with my mental health team in different ways. The poems I have written in my journals have made their way into all five of the books I have written. I have had conversations with others about depression and mental illness in general. This has happened because I picked up a pen almost 40 years ago and began journaling. 

As we journal, we transform along with our words. I have transformed. The younger me, from my teenage years to even a few years ago, would not recognize me today. I am aware of her. I know that I am the me I am today, because my younger self fought through the pain of depression, chronicled that pain on the pages of my journals, and created a practice that provided a safe space to process my struggle. For that I am grateful. 

A Letter to My Depressed Self

Dear Depressed Self

                  I am writing to you from a moment where all is not dark. I know you will find it difficult to believe that is possible, but it is. You will experience times when the darkness lifts. I know you spend a lot of time feeling as if everything is shrouded in darkness. You often feel life is not worth living. It is difficult to engage in life and you do not want to even get out of bed. That is depression. It is a part of you, but it does not define you.

Depression has been a constant companion for so much of your life. You will get better. I promise you this. Do you remember when the depression was so constant that ending your life was a common thought? You have overcome that even though those thoughts still creep into your mind. I know the depression still wanders in and grips you. Fortunately, you have excellent mental health care. You have a team determined to help you. I know you are aware of how important this team is in your life. 

On the days when the depression has released its grip on you, you are able to see that life is valuable and worth living. You realize how often depression has lied to you over the past four decades. It is really hard to understand how much depression has darkened your view of life, but deep down you know that you are not your depression.

The important thing is that you are making progress. You are winning the battle with depression. Even on the days when it does not seem that depression will ever leave you alone, there is hope. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone on your team. Other times you need esketamine treatment. Whatever it is, you have support to carry you through the darkness. Don’t get discouraged. You have this amazing support system. You need only reach out and they are there. 

I want you to remember that what you feel is real and not real at the same time. It is real in the sense that you are feeling it. Depression is not in your imagination. It is as painful as you experience. But it is not real in the sense that it lies to you. When it tells you that life is not worth living or that life won’t improve, it is lying. Depression feeds off its lies. At times you feel hopeless. I get it. That feeling will return at times. It is a part of the illness that is depression. 

Depression does get better. Sure, there will be ups and downs. Remember, you have an illness. You require treatment, which you thankfully have access to. You are strong. You have overcome so much. Depression has been hard on you, but you have fought back. I am proud of you for all your efforts. I know there will be times when the depression seems in control. There will be times when you need to step back and rely on your mental health team. That is okay. Keep fighting. Focus on the positives and remember that depression is not in control. Talk back to it. Trust that you will heal. 

Sincerely,

Your Healing Self

 

Note to Readers:

While I wrote this letter to myself, if you are living with depression, this letter is to you as well.  We share the diagnosis of depression. We have had similar experiences. Although, each of our experiences are also unique. My intent in sharing this letter is to remind all of us that we can fight depression. We can live meaningful lives with this illness. Sometimes we just need reminders that it gets better.  If you need help, please reach out to a mental health provider, a primary care provider, or 988.