MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – September is suicide prevention month. And Thursday, September 10th, was world suicide prevention day.
As more people turn to artificial intelligence chatbots for mental health support, one psychiatrist says technology can be useful, but it should never replace human connection or professional care.
For someone struggling with their mental health, getting help can sometimes feel difficult or out of reach. That’s one reason. Artificial intelligence chatbots are becoming an increasingly popular source of support. However… “A.I. is in no way therapy. Because therapy requires and is based on a co-regulation experience between 2 human beings,” said Dr. Dave Rabin, MD, PhD, a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist. A.I. is available around-the-clock. It’s easy to access. And it can respond without judgment. But Rabin says there’s an important limitation,
“And what A.I. is really great at is mimicking or imitating therapy, and convincing the individual on the other side that what they’re doing is therapy, and can it be helpful for certain things? Absolutely, but it is not. Therapy and not a replacement for therapy and should be described differently,” said Rabin.
Rabin says A.I. can have a role in mental healthcare, particularly when it comes to providing information, helping people find resources, and directing them toward crisis support. But he says, relying on a chatbot instead of real human support can become dangerous, especially for someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
“I mean, it’s one of the most massive public health issues of our time, right? We see that young people’s suicide rates are higher than they’ve ever been in the history of recorded numbers,” explained Rabin.
He says loved ones should watch for signs that someone is increasingly turning to A.I. instead of talking with friends, family members, or a mental health professional. “But it’s not a therapist, and it should not be guiding your treatment plan. And we need to tell people that immediately; it’s a massive public health risk,” said Rabin.
