The role of AI in mental health: Advancing health equity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18041/2665-427X/ijeph.1.13516Keywords:
Artificial intelligence, Mental Health, human–AI interaction, AI companionship, digital therapeutics, emotional support, online ethnography, qualitative analysis, health equity, access to careAbstract
Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly embedded in everyday life, supporting administrative tasks, healthcare navigation, and customer service. Beyond these functional roles, AI is now emerging as a source of emotional and mental health support, raising important social, psychological, and ethical questions.
Objective: To explore how individuals use AI-based companionship and therapeutic tools for emotional support.
Methods: A qualitative research design was employed using online ethnography and thematic analysis. Publicly available discussions from Reddit, Mental Health Forum, and Facebook groups were analyzed to examine users' experiences with AI-based mental health and companionship tools. Data were coded inductively to identify recurring themes related to emotional support, therapeutic use, and perceptions of AI.
Results: Two dominant themes emerged: AI as a tool for emotional support and daily coping, and comparisons between AI-based support and traditional therapy. Participants consistently described AI as accessible, nonjudgmental, and emotionally safe, providing immediate assistance during distress periods and facilitating self-reflection. Despite these benefits, recognized important limitations: AI cannot replace human relationships, professional clinical judgment, or ethical accountability. Broader concerns regarding health equity, data privacy, and the lack of regulatory oversight for many AI mental health applications were identified.
Conclusion: AI-based mental health tools show promises as accessible and supportive resources that enhance emotional well-being and improve access to care. However, they are most appropriately used as complementary rather than replacement interventions. A hybrid model integrating AI with human-led mental health services may maximize the benefits of these technologies while addressing ethical, clinical, and regulatory challenges.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/therapyGPT/comments/1m1dp54/
https://www.mentalhealthforum.net/forum/threads/ai-as-an-effective-therapist.632754/
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