Health · Mental Health · 3 hrs ago
Psychologists warn AI chatbots may harm mental health
Psychologists in Britain are warning about mental health advice from AI chatbots after practitioners reported rising use among patients.
A British Psychological Society survey of 197 psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists found they had seen a 49% increase in patients seeking chatbot support over the past year.
Seven in 10 respondents were concerned about AI being used for mental health advice, and nearly 88% said patients were relying on it too heavily.
Around 76% said AI was negatively affecting clients’ wellbeing, though the survey records practitioners’ views rather than measuring effects directly.
A separate survey found that 43% of children aged 11 to 17 had used AI for advice or emotional support.
Psychologists and mental health groups say chatbots should not replace care from trained people and that AI needs safeguards before being integrated into healthcare.
The British Psychological Society says more research, including input from practitioners and people using AI tools, is needed to understand how they can be used safely.
Psychologists are warning that AI chatbots may provide harmful mental health advice and negatively affect users’ wellbeing.
A British Psychological Society survey found that 49% more patients sought support from chatbots in the past year.
Seven in 10 surveyed practitioners said they were somewhat or very concerned about AI use for mental health advice.
Nearly 88% said patients were relying too heavily on AI, and around 76% said it was negatively affecting clients’ wellbeing.
The BPS says AI should not replace human support and must have safeguards.
- Who
- Psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists surveyed by the British Psychological Society raised concerns about AI chatbots.
- What
- They warned that chatbot mental health advice may be harmful and that users may rely on it too heavily.
- When
- The BPS survey found a rise in chatbot support-seeking over the past year. The article was published on 30 October 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Practitioners cited concerns about harmful advice, effects on wellbeing and users becoming overly reliant on AI.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Psychologists reported a 49% increase in patients seeking support from chatbots.
The Independent published the report on the BPS survey findings.
- BPS survey participants
- 197 psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists
- Increase in chatbot support-seeking
- 49% over the past year
- Concern about AI mental health advice
- Seven in 10 respondents were somewhat or very concerned
- Reliance on AI
- Nearly 88% said patients were relying too heavily on it
- Client wellbeing
- Around 76% said AI was negatively affecting it
- Children’s AI use
- 43% of 2,000 surveyed children aged 11–17 had used AI for advice or emotional support
What people are saying
The risk of unregulated open access AI chatbots providing unqualified and harmful advice remains very real.
Although AI offers many benefits, it cannot replace the vital human element in mental health care.
even casual use of generative AI can cause harm.
these must not become a replacement for great quality care, where people feel properly heard and seen.