Artificial Intelligence and Mental Health: Where Should We Draw the Line?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly common in everyday life. More recently, there has been a growing online trend of people sharing how they use AI chatbots as a substitute for psychological therapy and emotional support.
Why are people turning to AI?
AI can provide quick responses, help people organise their thoughts, and offer general information about mental health. For some individuals, it may feel easier to type a question into a chatbot than to speak to another person. Someone might ask AI how to cope with stress at work, manage anxiety before a presentation, or navigate a difficult conversation with a partner. In many cases, the responses may sound helpful and supportive.
What AI Can’t Do
A psychologist's role involves more than responding to words on a screen. Psychologists draw upon years of education, clinical training, professional supervision, ethical standards, and experience to understand the complexities of human behaviour and mental health.
When providing treatment, psychologists consider a person's history, relationships, emotions, behaviours, strengths, values, culture, and life circumstances. They can ask important follow-up questions, identify patterns, assess risk, and adapt their approach to meet an individual's unique needs.
AI does not possess genuine understanding, empathy, clinical judgement, or accountability.
A supportive response is not the same as professional psychological care.
The Risks of Relying on AI for Therapy
One of the greatest concerns is the potential for AI to provide inaccurate, misleading, or unhelpful recommendations. While AI systems are designed to generate responses that sound helpful, they can sometimes produce information that is inappropriate for a person's situation.
AI cannot observe body language, notice changes in mood, ask clinically relevant questions, or assess risk in a meaningful way. It only responds to the information it is given, which means important details can easily be missed. In some cases, this could reinforce unhelpful thinking patterns, encourage avoidance behaviours, or fail to recognise signs of significant mental health concerns that require immediate professional intervention.
The Cost of “Free” Support
While many people are attracted to AI because it’s free to use, the real cost may be delayed support, missed opportunities for human connection, and difficulties that become harder to address over time.
Therapy is not simply about receiving advice. It is about building trust, exploring emotions, developing insight, learning coping strategies, and creating lasting change through a collaborative relationship. These are experiences that cannot be replicated by an algorithm.
Human connection remains one of the most important parts of psychological care.
AI as a supplement the Mental Health support
AI can be a useful tool for gathering information, learning about mental health topics, or supporting personal organisation. However, it should be viewed as a supplement rather than a replacement for professional psychological care. Your wellbeing deserves more than a computer-generated response.
Below are some reputable organisations to support your mental health:
Lifeline Australia
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Beyond Blue
Information and support for anxiety, depression, and wellbeing.
Suicide Call Back Service
Free nationwide counselling for people affected by suicide.
Kids Helpline
Counselling and support for children and young people aged 5-25.
Headspace
Mental health support for young people.
If someone is in immediate danger or requires urgent assistance, contact emergency services on 000 or attend the nearest emergency department.
Written by Chloe Cacopardo, Registered Psychologist
