Health · Mental Health · 1 day ago
Mental health researcher says AI could improve support for young people
A researcher with decades of experience in mental health and suicide prevention says generative AI could improve support for young people.
Many young people already turn to chatbots, including when they cannot reach a person or need help at night.
The researcher cautions that chatbots can give false information or reinforce harmful behaviour, so general-purpose AI is not always suitable for mental health care.
Youth services can be fragmented, and research cited by the researcher found that nearly two-thirds of people in some early-intervention services had daily functioning that stayed poor or worsened.
AI tools could help young people describe their experiences in everyday language and turn those conversations into information clinicians can use to adjust care.
The tools could also guide primary-care clinicians and youth workers, including in rural and remote areas where specialists are scarce.
Research is under way to test whether AI can help less-skilled clinicians ask more specific questions.
The researcher says face-to-face care has advantages, but argues that digitally supported services should also be considered.
A clinical psychiatry researcher says generative AI could improve mental health support for young people.
The researcher argues that chatbots can offer help at any time to young people who cannot or do not want to consult a person.
They say AI tools could help clinicians use young people’s reported symptoms and everyday language to adjust care.
The article also warns that chatbots can encourage harmful behaviour, give false information or miss warning signs.
The researcher says AI could help extend specialist knowledge to areas with few mental health professionals.
- Who
- A clinical psychiatry researcher with decades of experience in mental health and suicide prevention.
- What
- The researcher argues that generative AI could improve mental health support for young people, while recognising risks from chatbots.
- When
- The article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- The discussion focuses on youth mental health care, including outer urban, rural and remote areas.
- Why
- The researcher says AI may help address gaps in youth services and tailor care using information about young people’s symptoms and functioning.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I now believe the emergence of generative AI could be the most positive opportunity to ever emerge in the field.
Chatbots can promote engagement with sycophantic interactions that support harmful behaviour.
They function 24/7 in any location.
A well-calibrated AI assistant could not only prompt primary-care clinicians and less-skilled youth workers, but bring much of the experience of specialised psychiatrists, mental health nurses and clinical psychologists into the room with the young person.
Research cited by the researcher found nearly two-thirds of people attending early-intervention services had daily functioning that stayed poor or worsened.
SMH published the researcher’s opinion article on AI and youth mental health support.
- Experience
- The researcher says they have worked clinically in mental health and suicide prevention for nearly four decades.
- Service access
- The article says chatbots are available 24/7 and in any location.
- 2021 research
- Nearly two-thirds of people attending early-intervention services found daily functioning stayed poor or got worse.
- Potential use
- AI could help clinicians interpret reports about mood, sleep, activity, symptoms, risk behaviours and functioning.
- Article date
- October 11, 2026
Sources
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