Written By: Hanifa Zakari Shuaibu
Today, many young people turn to their smartphones or technology devices in moments of distress. With the rising use of AI chatbots like ChatGPT, it’s not uncommon to see a young person battling insomnia at 2 a.m., picking up their phone in search of answers or emotional support. While these tools are often convenient, most of these readily available bots are not built specifically for mental health care and support.
I recently explored available mental health apps and found that while they exist, many people don’t use them. It could be due to the fact that most people do not know about the apps, or because many prefer widely popular platforms like ChatGPT simply because they are easy to access. And the importance of mental health focused digital tools is the convenience of providing support at the exact moment it is needed, and sometimes even offering referrals in emergency situations. Studies show that AI therapy chatbots can reduce depression symptoms by up to 64%, while predictive algorithms have identified individuals at risk of suicide with 92% accuracy within just one week.
Technologies such as mental health apps and chatbots can help address major challenges in mental health. For instance, in many low and middle-income countries, where there is a severe shortage of mental health professionals, these tools can help individuals connect to professionals when needed. Digital tools can also reduce fear of judgment and stigma, by allowing people to seek help privately without visiting psychiatric clinics, which are mostly concentrated in tertiary hospitals. The cost of mental health care is also often high, and most people rely on out-of-pocket payments for these services. This can discourage people from seeking help leading to worsening of symptoms. Digital apps and chatbots are often low-cost or free, and that will help in overcoming this barrier and make mental health support more accessible.
As the founder of Voice for Health Initiative which provides mental health peer-support sessions to young people, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of human connection and hearing each other’s stories prompted healing and improved participants’ mental wellbeing. In our sessions, participants who struggled to name their feelings or identify their symptoms have learned to recognize them, learned practical tools to improve their mental health and have been able access professional guidance. However, our sessions are limited to monthly meetings, and many young people wish for 24/7 support, which is something technology could provide.
Despite these digital platforms offering quite a number of cons and advantages, it cannot fully replace human connection. As I mentioned above, the emotional support, empathy and connection gained from hearing and sharing experiences in support groups, technology and algorithms cannot replicate that healing that comes from shared human experiences. Recent reports have shown tragic outcomes where individuals seeking advice from chatbots were provided inadequate support, leading to harmful decisions. A media report mentioned how a young boy who died by suicide sought for advice from a chatbot which discouraged him from seeking help from his parents and even offered to write his suicide note. This issue stems from the lack of human connection, interaction and empathy from these readily available AI chatbots which is a critical limitation of these technologies.
Overall, I believe digital mental health tools should not be seen as replacements but really as complements to traditional mental health care. They can provide immediate support when needed, improve access and reduce stigma, although the human element which is vital still remains irreplaceable. With the evolution of technology, particularly AI, the main challenge will be finding ways to integrate mental health digital tools with human centered care in order to create a balance between having accessible care and also a compassionate one. This leads to the fact that mental health professionals, app developers, and policymakers must collaborate to ensure that these digital tools enhance, rather than replace human centered care.
The question remains: can technology truly replicate the empathy and connection humans bring to mental health support or will it just always be a tool to complement human care rather than replace it?