2024/10/27 by Steven Siddals, John Torous, Astrid Coxon · 1 voice · 3 citations
Psychology · #Digital Mental Health Interventions #Mental Health Research Topics #Mental Health via Writing
paper · doi:10.1038/s44184-024-00097-4
openalex publication_date 2024/10/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
The global mental health crisis underscores the need for accessible, effective interventions. Chatbots based on generative artificial intelligence (AI), like ChatGPT, are emerging as novel solutions, but research on real-life usage is limited. We interviewed nineteen individuals about their experiences using generative AI chatbots for mental health. Participants reported high engagement and positive impacts, including better relationships and healing from trauma and loss. We developed four themes: (1) a sense of 'emotional sanctuary', (2) 'insightful guidance', particularly about relationships, (3) the 'joy of connection', and (4) comparisons between the 'AI therapist' and human therapy. Some themes echoed prior research on rule-based chatbots, while others seemed novel to generative AI. Participants emphasised the need for better safety guardrails, human-like memory and the ability to lead the therapeutic process. Generative AI chatbots may offer mental health support that feels meaningful to users, but further research is needed on safety and effectiveness.