Key Insights
- University of Alabama at Birmingham psychiatrist Merida Grant, Ph.D., says AI should not replace licensed mental health professionals for diagnosis, treatment planning or crisis intervention.
- Artificial intelligence may provide short-term support and educational resources for mild to moderate concerns when professional care is unavailable.
- AI-generated mental health advice can contain inaccuracies and may reinforce existing beliefs or biases.
- Individuals experiencing psychosis, addiction, suicidal thoughts, homicidal ideation, or other severe mental health symptoms should seek immediate professional care.
- Users should review privacy policies and HIPAA-related protections before sharing health information with AI platforms.
A UAB psychiatry expert explains the benefits, risks and limitations of using AI for mental health support, why more people are turning to chatbots, who may be most vulnerable and when professional mental health care should be sought.As digital tools become increasingly integrated into daily life, deciding where to invest one’s time and disclose personal information has grown more complex. Although online platforms can expand access to general mental health resources, the rising use of artificial intelligence for emotional support is potentially concerning to psychiatry professionals.
Chat systems using AI gather information for responses through live, massive dataset web searches, user pattern recognition and next-word prediction. A user and web bias process in an online-centric society begs the question: Can online AI tools accurately and responsibly provide users with practical advice, particularly in the context of individualistic mental health support?
Merida Grant, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, discusses the differences between mental health support provided by licensed professionals and AI, the barriers that may be driving increased AI use, and when users should seek professional care.
Can AI provide the same support as a therapist or psychiatrist?
The American Psychological Association reports that 77 percent of psychologists in the United States have observed their patients using AI for mental health guidance, diagnosis or treatment navigation.
One of the key issues surrounding this topic is that AI responses are limited to providing users with general resources that are found through the web, as well as “unique” responses to advice- prompted circumstances which are dependent on the given context, data and platform.
Due to pattern recognition, AI may unintentionally reinforce a user’s existing feelings, beliefs or behaviors, validating biases rather than encouraging a deeper discussion, perspective and critical reflection that can occur during a conversation with a health care professional.
Merida Grant, Ph.D“AI can tailor medical information and treatment plans to individual needs, but its capability depends heavily on whether it is used inside a clinical setting or by a consumer,” Grant said. “In coordination with a mental health professional, it can facilitate precision medicine. Alone, with insufficient input in terms of history, current resources and stressors, it can result in erroneous diagnosis and treatment recommendations.”
The benefits of speaking with a therapist or physician, in comparison to a chatbot, are significantly unmatched. The human connection aspect of a patient and physician relationship can allow for thorough discussion, exploring sentimental nuances that AI cannot easily recognize, and detecting continuous signs of one’s mental state and conditions based on clinical observation.
Licensed physicians and therapists are capable of providing patients with credible, concrete diagnoses that otherwise may not be as accurate or precise if generated by AI. Creating a sincere, trusting connection with a clinician allows for a uniquely tailored course of action for one’s wellbeing, and space for follow-up, as necessary.
It is crucial for patients to disclose their AI usage to their physician or clinician for effective care coordination, addressing any inaccurate information or discrepancies that the platform may have provided a patient.
Why are more people turning to AI for mental health support?
Factors such as cost, insurance coverage, provider shortages, location and societal pressures may be contributing to the increase in individuals seeking AI assistance for mental health support.
In recognizing these barriers, Grant says that for mild to moderate concerns, AI may be a reasonable short-term strategy until a healthcare provider or other resources become available. Even so, users should remain cautious in understanding that AI-generated responses may contain errors or inaccuracies that should later be verified by a qualified healthcare professional.
According to the APA, individuals have reported these barriers impacting their resource access:
- Societal pressures and stigma: 41 percent
- Provider shortages: 34 percent
- Cost: 29 to 39 percent
- Insurance and provider issues: 25 percent
Confiding in a trusted loved one, friend or primary care physician regarding these barriers can help identify accessible treatment options that have not yet been explored.
Who is most likely to seek mental health support from AI?
According to KFF, younger adults under the age of 30 are more likely to seek mental health support from AI in comparison to older adults over the age of 50. However, as this technology expands, Grant says that concerns for both populations should not be overlooked.
Both younger and older individuals may be more susceptible to relying on and trusting AI-generated health information. That can be due to differences in technology exposure, health literacy and the availability of trusted people in their lives to turn to for guidance.
“The concern with younger adults or teens surrounds the issue that they may rely heavily on AI and not inform trusted adults or others in their life about critical situations that may require outside intervention,” Grant said. “In contrast, the concern with older adults involves how AI may facilitate social isolation and fail to recognize potential cognitive impairment that is associated with aging and emotional well-being.”
Individuals who may have difficulties in social situations, such as younger adults, or who are more prone to isolation, such as older adults and those experiencing anxiety or depression, may be more likely to rely heavily on AI as a one-size-fits-all source of mental health guidance. This reliance may reflect underlying long-term challenges related to loneliness, impaired coping mechanisms and reduced social connection with others.
“Unfortunately, for some individuals, interacting with their therapist may be their only source of social interaction,” Grant said. “Reliance on AI reinforces isolation behavior and eliminates the ability of the clinician to model good coping and social skills.”
When should you seek professional help instead of relying on AI?
Before using AI as a mental health resource, Grant says users should carefully consider both the platform’s privacy protections and its limitations in responding to mental health crises.
“Users should confirm that the platform has specific language about privacy and terms of service regarding PHI and HIPAA that protects their information before entering any private information,” Grant said. “More so, AI is not set up to respond to a patient in crisis or a patient experiencing a manic episode or psychotic break.”
Although short-term assistance can be provided through AI, how can users or loved ones determine when someone should seek an evaluation or care from a licensed mental health professional or physician?
If an individual is seeking treatment for addiction, or experiencing severe mental illness that involves psychosis or thoughts regarding suicidal or homicidal ideation, Grant says that licensed physician care should be sought out immediately.
If you or someone you know needs immediate mental health crisis support or is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
For 24-hour access to text or call, UAB has partnered with the Birmingham Crisis Center at 205-323-7777 and the National Crisis Text Line (text “UAB” to 741-741). For more information, visit UAB Cares.
UAB’s Community Counseling Clinic provides services to members of the greater Birmingham area with a fee of $10 per session.