Expert weighs in on using AI chatbots for mental health advice
A Johannesburg-based clinical psychologist says, unlike AI Chatbots, mental health experts are taught to observe much more than just a person's words.
Four years ago, AI chatbots were almost unheard of, but these days, it seems people can't do anything without consulting a digital assistant.
From business ideas to recipe ideas, it seems there is nothing that AI chatbots can't answer.
Reality star Kim Kardashian even admitted to using AI tools such as ChatGPT to study for her law exams.
A recent study revealed that almost a fifth of adolescents and young adults rely on AI chatbots for mental health advice.
"AI chatbots are widely used by adolescents and young adults for emotional and psychological support, underscoring the urgent need for parents, clinicians, and policymakers to understand their evolving role in youth mental health care," the study, which was published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, stated.
A recent episode of 'The Oprah Podcast' also exposes the darker side of AI chatbots.
Talk show host Oprah Winfrey spoke to the parents of a teenage boy who took his life after "troubling interactions" with an AI chatbot on a companion app.
Megan Garcia says that after her 14-year-old son's death, she created a dummy account to speak to an AI chatbot and was alarmed by its responses.
"I had no idea that there was such sophisticated technology, because that sounds like a person who knows you," she said.
Winfrey notes that 72% of teens have engaged with an AI companion.
Oprah said experts have warned that the technology sometimes "distorts thinking, impacts mental health and can lead to devastating consequences like self-harm".
Is AI chatbot advice reliable?
Johannesburg-based clinical psychologist Dr Happy Setsiba says one of the biggest limitations of artificial intelligence is its lack of the human element central to effective mental health care.
“People will just punch in a question, and then AI chatbots will give them an answer, and that’s not how we work,” she explains.
Unlike AI chatbots, trained psychologists and counsellors are taught to observe much more than just a person's words.
“We, as trained professionals, can pick up non-verbal cues. That’s how we were trained as psychologists or counsellors. We are trained to go beyond and listen beyond the words," Dr Setsiba says.
Health experts can also observe a client's behaviour, body language, facial expressions, and other subtle cues that may not be communicated in text-based conversations.
“For instance, if you cry, you have to tell AI chatbots that you are actually crying. It’s not natural. There is a human element when you go see a professional. We are trained to make connections between what you are saying and what you are not saying.
"We are trained to see beyond the tears. We are trained to listen beyond the words. We are trained to make connections in the silences because you are present and you are here.”
Human connection matters in mental health support
According to Dr Setsiba, those cues are important as human connection is crucial when giving advice to someone who is experiencing severe emotional distress or suicidal thoughts.
She explains that psychologists and counsellors conduct risk assessments that help them identify whether a client may be at risk of harming themselves. If concerns arise, professionals can take additional steps to ensure the person’s safety and connect them with the appropriate support systems.
According to Dr Setsiba, this is one of the areas where AI chatbots fall short.
“When someone comes to us, and they are feeling suicidal, we are able to assess the level of risk and take the necessary steps to keep them safe,” she says.
Mental health support for young people
Dr Setsiba also expressed concern about younger people turning to AI chatbots for mental health support.
“Young people are still developing. They have their own way of perceiving problems in the world and sometimes all they seek is an escape,” she says.
Dr Setsiba explains that when a young person presents with signs that their wellbeing or safety may be at risk, mental health professionals are able to involve parents, guardians, medical practitioners or other relevant support structures where necessary.
She adds that in cases where a person’s mental health condition requires more intensive intervention, psychologists can refer them to medical institutions, psychiatrists or other healthcare providers for further treatment, including medication and ongoing monitoring.
Another important difference, she says, is that mental health professionals provide ongoing care and follow-up support to ensure clients receive the help they need and make progress over time.
While AI chatbots can provide information, coping strategies and a space for people to express themselves, Dr Setsiba believes they should never replace professional mental health care.
Instead, she encourages people to seek professional help when facing mental health challenges
If you or anyone you know needs help, please contact SADAG's 24-hour toll-free Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800 567 567.
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