AI chatbots increasingly used for mental health support amid global crisis

AI chatbots mental health digital therapy psychology artificial intelligence

As the global mental health crisis grows, with over one billion people suffering from mental disorders, an increasing number of individuals are turning to artificial intelligence for support. A survey in Germany indicates that 57 percent of the population uses AI chatbots for private matters, a figure that rises to 84 percent among those aged 18 to 34. Many users view these tools as helpful advisors or affordable alternatives to traditional counseling, with some even treating chatbots as close friends.

However, experts warn of significant risks. While AI can assist in information gathering and monitoring behavioral patterns, general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude are not licensed therapists and lack human empathy. There are documented concerns regarding AI hallucinations and the potential for chatbots to exacerbate mental health issues. Notably, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reported that 0.15 percent of ChatGPT users engage in conversations involving explicit indicators of suicidal intent.

In younger demographics, the rise of AI and social media usage is linked to concerns over digital addiction, cyberbullying, and sleep deprivation. Research shows that nearly 1 in 5 adolescents aged 12 to 21 have sought mental health support through AI, highlighting both the accessibility of the technology and the urgent need for supervised, professional mental health resources.

Entities

Anthropic · ChatGPT · Ipsos · OpenAI · Pronova BKK · Sam Altman · World Health Organization

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] 84 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds use AI chatbots for private problems. www.mannheim24.de · www.ruhr24.de
[○ 1 SOURCE] More than one billion people worldwide suffer from a mental disorder. www.istmo.mx
[● 2 SOURCES] One fifth of users treat AI chatbots like close friends. www.mannheim24.de · www.ruhr24.de
[○ 1 SOURCE] Nearly 1 in 5 adolescents aged 12 to 21 have turned to AI for mental health support. www.snexplores.org
[● 2 SOURCES] 57 percent of Germans use AI chatbots for private problems. www.mannheim24.de · www.ruhr24.de
[○ 1 SOURCE] 0.15 percent of ChatGPT users engage in conversations containing explicit indicators of potential suicidal plans or intentions. www.istmo.mx