AI and Mental Health

How AI can help with mental health and what the future holds?

My brother, with the help of AI, developed quite a heartwarming video for me, where I meet mini-me, and we hug. After viewing it, I had mixed feelings. A few years ago, who would have thought that AI technology now allows us to create videos where we can "meet" and even hug a younger version of ourselves? This virtual interaction could be powerful from a psychological perspective, by visually connecting with a younger self, it may help individuals process unresolved childhood trauma, nurture self-compassion, and promote healing. I started to think about and do some research in the field of how AI can help with mental health and what the future holds. 

Below, I have gathered some research with links to deep-dive into analytics. 

Some of the key areas where we are already using AI:

• AI Chatbots for Mental Health Support like Woebot and Wysa use cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to offer real-time emotional support https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10242473/

• Predictive Analytics for Mental Health are being used to predict mental health crises by analysing data patterns from social media, wearable devices, or patient records https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9046696/

• AI in Diagnosis: AI models have been trained to detect mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia through patterns in speech, text, or facial expressions. These systems can assist in early diagnosis and provide clinicians with additional insights that may not be easily noticeable. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9142346/ 

• Personalised Therapy offers personalised mental health care by analysing individual responses to different treatments and recommending tailored interventions. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10730549/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949866X2400087X#:~:text=AI%2Dpowered%20pharmacogenomics%20is%20reshaping,patient%20profiles%20for%20drug%20therapies.

• AI in Neurofeedback and Brain-Computer Interfaces are being used to help individuals with anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and other mental health conditions by providing real-time feedback on brainwave patterns, allowing for better regulation of emotions. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10982476/#:~:text=Additionally%2C%20AI%2Ddriven%20neurofeedback%20systems,to%20develop%20self%2Dregulation%20skills.

So, it is expanding rapidly and showing promise in improving access to mental health services, personalising treatment, and making mental health care more efficient. 

Reading more about it and analysing other papers, it seems like it can be quite beneficial in giving access to a broader population, bridging the gap between people in need of psychological support, and making it more affordable. Wearable technology integrated with AI could provide real-time analysis of physiological data (such as heart rate variability or sleep patterns) to detect early signs of stress, anxiety, or depression, offering immediate interventions or recommendations. AI combined with VR could simulate therapeutic environments that help patients confront fears (exposure therapy), practice mindfulness, or rehearse social interactions, all under the guidance of virtual therapists. It can help with early detection in identifying early signs of mental health disorders before they fully manifest, analysing behavioural data, speech patterns, or even facial expressions. This could lead to earlier interventions and more effective treatments.

Another huge benefit is AI’s ability to analyse big data sets, which will facilitate large-scale studies on mental health, leading to the discovery of patterns and triggers for mental health conditions across populations.

However, as AI integrates more deeply into personal mental health, concerns around data privacy, informed consent, and potential biases in AI models will need to be addressed.

Another challenge is that AI can simulate empathy and provide responses based on learned patterns, but it lacks true emotional understanding. This could limit its effectiveness in addressing complex or deeply personal mental health issues. I believe there is also a risk of over-reliance on AI, which may lead to reduced human interaction in therapeutic contexts, where human connection can be a crucial component of healing.

I hope the future will hold the balance and ensure that AI complements, rather than replaces, human-led therapy. What are your thoughts? Is anyone using AI in their practice?