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.
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