Things to consider before using AI chatbots for your mental health.

An AI chatbot is a computer programme designed to talk to you like a person would. Some chatbots are very basic and only give certain replies. However, newer, more advanced chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini use artificial intelligence to try to understand what you are saying and give more natural responses. More recently, some people have turned to AI Chatbots to access information and support for their mental health. If you are considering using an AI chatbot, here are somethings you might want to think about beforehand.

Questions to ask before using an AI chatbot

Why do some people use AI chatbots for mental health information and support?

People choose to use AI chatbots for many reasons. Here are some of the most common ones:

• They are instant and accessible: These tools are available at any time, 24/7 and getting immediate replies can be comforting when you feel overwhelmed.
• They feel anonymous: Some people prefer to talk anonymously instead of opening up to someone in their life. But it’s also good to know that when you sign up to an AI chatbot it will store your personal data.
• They feel supportive:Talking to a real person about your mental health can feel intimidating, and some people find it easier to open up with a chatbot at first.
• They feel comfortable: The language chatbots use is often warm and inviting, which can feel comforting. But unlike talking to a professional, AI Chatbots rarely challenge your feelings. 

What are the risks of using AI chatbots for mental health information or support? 

AI chatbots can sometimes sound really confident in their responses, but they can still be wrong or say things that are not appropriate.

While using AI chatbots to support your mental health can be appealing, these tools come with limitations. Here are some things to consider before using these tools:

Your privacy is not guaranteed

Some AI chatbot services may store or review your conversations to improve how they work or for safety monitoring. When it comes to your personal information, this can mean sensitive mental-health topics or any private topics you discuss with AI chatbots may not be fully private.

The information provided by AI chatbots is not always trustworthy

AI Chatbots take information from all different sources across the internet and not all of these sources are trustworthy or reliable. The responses they give can be misleading or they might not understand the topics you decide to share, especially when it comes to your mental health.

They can’t tell if you’re in a crisis or need immediate attention

AI chatbots can’t hear the tone of your voice or see your body language. They can miss important emotional cues and won’t know if you are unsafe or need immediate help. They also can’t contact emergency services or connect you with a real person. 

They’re designed to be supportive, agree with you, and copy your tone

A lot of AI chatbots are designed to agree with you and can mirror your language. This means they can repeat or validate any negative thoughts you might share, and it can be harmful. They often cannot give you real support that a mental health professional is trained to provide you with.

They don’t offer real empathy

AI chatbots can respond with language that seems warm and caring, but these tools cannot feel empathy or understand the human experience. An interaction with a chatbot is not an effective replacement for a connection with a real person. 

Alternatives to AI Chatbots for Your Mental health

It takes courage to reach out and take the first step on your mental health recovery journey. No matter what you’re experiencing, you deserve the best support possible. Here are some alternative mental health supports available to you.

What if I want trustworthy mental health information?

If you are looking for information and support for your mental health, there are trusted resources out there that are reliable and accurate. Websites like spunout.ie and yourmentalhealth.ie are great places to start. spunout content is checked by subject matter experts and reviewed by real young people to make sure it’s accurate, up to date and relevant.

What if I want effective mental health support?

Sometimes, mental health issues can be eased by getting support from the people in your life or making changes in your life to support your wellbeing. Other times, mental health issues can become more complex, long-lasting, and difficult to deal with. When this is the case, getting support from someone who is trained in delivering evidence-based mental health treatments can support you in your recovery journey.

There is a wide range of mental health supports available in Ireland, but it can be difficult to know how to access them and which type of support is best suited to your needs. Everyone is unique, so people will have different routes through the healthcare system. This article on how to get mental health support in Ireland can help you understand your support options.

What if I want to talk to someone right now?

If you want to talk to someone immediately and anonymously, Text About It is a free, confidential 24/7 text messaging service in Ireland where trained volunteers are available to listen and support you when you need it most. 

If you are in crisis, an AI chatbot isn’t the best support for you.  This article explains what you can do if you’re having thoughts of suicide. If you are in a self harm or suicide emergency, call 999 or 112, or go to your local A&E, as soon as possible.

Feeling overwhelmed and want to talk to someone?

• Get anonymous support 24/7 with our text message support service
• Connect with a trained volunteer who will listen to you, and help you to move forward feeling better
• Whatsapp us now or free-text SPUNOUT to 50808 to begin.
• Find out more about our text message support service

If you are a customer of the 48 or An Post network or cannot get through using the ‘50808’ short code please text HELLO to 086 1800 280 (standard message rates may apply). Some smaller networks do not support short codes like ‘50808’.