The mental health space is buzzing with the entry of AI-powered apps that promise fast and accessible care.
middle Rapid increase in demand Artificial intelligence (AI) apps are sparking a debate among experts regarding mental health support. Although these tools offer hope for closing gaps in care, they also come with concerns about effectiveness and ethics. As the field navigates this digital wave, experts say the challenge is to determine whether AI can truly complement the human touch in mental health care or serve as just a high-tech Band-Aid. It says that there are.
“AI is extremely useful for mental health apps because it can personalize care at scale and provide tailored support and interventions based on individual user data.” derek du cheneCEO of better youa mental wellness company and creator of the Better U mental wellness app and patient portal, told PYMNTS.
“This custom approach improves engagement and effectiveness. AI algorithms can also analyze behavioral and mood patterns over time, identifying potential mental health issues before they become serious. , enabling preventive care,” he added. “Furthermore, AI allows him to provide 24/7 support, which is essential when human therapists are not available and allows individuals to access assistance whenever they need it.”
Mental health apps are part of a growing trend of using AI for customer service.as PYMNTS reported, Consumers unconsciously interact with AI every day, from stopping credit card fraud to using chatbots for returns. Toronto company Meeranda claims it is poised for a visual AI that aims to mimic real-time human interaction, deviating from typical chatbots and not competing with ChatGPT.
On-demand therapy?
The digital health industry is experiencing an unprecedented boom in AI-powered mental health applications, a trend highlighted by the sheer volume and variety of options available to consumers. According to recent market analysis, 10,000 mental health appsmuch of which leverages artificial intelligence to provide personalized treatment, mood tracking, and crisis intervention.
For example, an app like Woobot and WaisaThe service, which uses AI to engage users in therapeutic conversations, has garnered millions of downloads in total.
On a more clinical side, Limbic AI Use machine learning to analyze audio biomarkers to detect signs of depression and mood disorders. at the same time, Ellipsis health status Measuring anxiety and depression through AI-powered voice analysis.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin recently developed a new AI-powered mental health assessment tool that rivals the effectiveness of widely used “gold standard” questionnaires to detect symptoms of depression. Published in “Journal of Affective Disorders”. their study An AI system designed by Aiberry has discovered that it can accurately assess a person’s mental health through analysis of text, audio, and video signals during a bot interview.
“On the healthcare provider side, AI can assist therapists by handling routine tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-level care.” Shari B. KaplanIntegrative Mental Health Clinician cannect wellnesshe told PYMNTS. “AI-powered data analytics has the potential to provide valuable population health insights to inform healthcare delivery, treatment compliance, and optimize outcomes.”
Benefits of AI mental health care
Proponents argue that AI mental health apps can enhance access to care, allowing people to receive support anytime and anywhere. They believe these tools are critical to breaking down barriers to traditional treatments, such as cost, location, and availability.
“People can be used right here, right now, in the middle of the night or right after hearing bad news, in the midst of dire moments and their immediate aftermath, when individuals are at their most vulnerable and at a loss. , we need your support.” jenny chenchief scientist of It’ll be okaythe AI-powered mental health app told PYMNTS.
“A 45-minute appointment with a therapist at 2pm next Tuesday is not going to help you much. AI mental health can provide people with the “quick fix” they need on the spot and help people recover from mental distress. It can stop the “bleeding” and prevent the worst-case scenario, where an individual feels extremely hopeless and helpless. ”
Proponents also emphasize that AI apps can provide patients with anonymity and a non-judgmental environment.
“Exposing shame is essential to the healing process, but it’s very difficult when faced with a real person – a therapist who knows our name, age, address, employer, etc.,” Chen said. To tell. “On the other hand, AI-powered mental health support provides an unparalleled level of anonymity. There is no need to disclose any of our personal information.”
Most experts say AI is likely to augment human therapists, rather than replace them. paul rossoffThe founder of Bedrock Psychology Group said AI could help many high-functioning people who need “an ear” or “fresh eyes” when it comes to their struggles.
“However, I am concerned that people with moderate to severe mental health disorders tend to have confused and biased perceptions and interpretations of the world around them,” he added. “People with cognitive disorders (e.g., psychosis, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, severe depression/anxiety) may not have the skills to reality test and question AI responses.”
According to research Rosoff pointed out that the most important element in treatment is the relationship between patient and therapist.
“I don’t know if AI can reproduce this 100%,” he added. “Eventually, I believe AI will be able to reproduce the responses of real therapists with a high degree of ‘realism’, so patients will feel like they are talking to a real human being. It will make us think about what the “human” element is. ”
