AI, I'M FEELING BLUE

As we see more artificially intelligent ways to simplify life, can Al aid the access to mental healthcare?

- SAMREEN TUNGEKAR

“I feel depressed," I type into everyone's current Agony Aunt, Chat GPT. The AI instantly reverts with a response that sympathises, but encourages seeking professional help, and a few at-home tips (take a walk, create something) to help. I try a few more such prompts, and the response follows the same pattern - 'seek professional help. So for those who might make this to be a 'can AI replace therapy' debate, there's your answer. Even AI knows it can't.

However, the way Artificial Intelligence (AI) has entered all streams of life means one can't diminish its role in the mental health sphere either. An article in the American Psychological Association shares that 'in addition to making mental health support more affordable and accessible, chatbots can help people who may shy away from a human therapist, such as those new to therapy or people with social anxiety. "They also offer the opportunity for the field to reimagine itself, to intentionally build culturally competent Als that can make psychology more inclusive," Jessica Jackson, PhD, a licensed psychologist and equitable technology advocate based in Texas, says in the piece. A WHO study, on the other hand, points out that AI in mental health services and research has potential, but there are significant shortcomings that may indicate overly accelerated promotion of new AI models that have yet to be evaluated as viable in the real world.

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