In the last 5 years, the word Artificial Intelligence or AI has become a household word in all industries and spheres of life. For example, data reporters at Statista pointed out that the monthly search volume of the word “AI” rose from 7.9 billion to 30.4 billion as of June 2024. This figure shows an over 250% increase. As such, we can no longer avoid conversations on how the rise in AI affects not just mechanical innovations but also how it impacts healthcare processes such as mental health service provision.
The use of AI in mental health service provision is promising. As experts state, AI-powered tools offer potential solutions in diagnostics, treatment, and even patient monitoring cases.
A New Era for Mental Health Services
One use case study is seen in recent research on AI tools for early diagnosis of depression from social media usage patterns. Mangalik and other researchers in 2024 discovered that by tracking community-level mental health trends, researchers could identify potential wide-occurring symptoms. And ways to increase resources for strategies on mental healthcare treatment. This, in turn, will result in improved efficiency of services provided. Likewise, an AI tool’s capacity to analyse large data volumes can speed up the identification of previously unseen patterns. Regarding usage, AI-powered chatbots are a forerunner for offering accessible mental health support that can be personalised to each patient.
While there appears to be a consensus on the undeniable potential of AI adoption, questions about the possible harm and even ethical implications stand at the forefront of AI adoption. Privacy and data security concerns surrounding sensitive mental health data are key discussions. Data breaches could devastate individuals, resulting in discrimination, financial loss, and emotional distress. Robust data protection measures are essential to safeguard patient information.
Another critical concern is algorithmic bias. AI systems trained on biased data will perpetuate those biases in their decision-making. This poses a serious challenge for those of us in places like sub-Saharan Africa, as AI models trained primarily on Caucasian data may falsely identify mental health symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
Furthermore, the increasing reliance on AI in mental healthcare raises concerns about the nature of therapeutic relationships. While AI can provide valuable support, some experts argue that AI should not replace the human connection in therapeutic healing. Thus, from an ethical perspective, it is vital to ensure that AI enhances, not replaces, the human element in mental healthcare. Overreliance on AI may erode empathy and compassion within the healthcare system. This underscores the need to maintain the human connection in mental healthcare.
Responsible way to incorporate AI in mental health
A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to fully realise the benefits of AI in mental health while mitigating risks. Mental health professionals, ethical practitioners, policymakers, and technology experts must collaborate to develop guidelines and regulations that are relevant and adaptable to AI. Furthermore, “responsibility” should extend beyond development to deployment and monitoring. Consequently, continuous monitoring and evaluation of AI systems is also crucial to identify and address emerging challenges.
Ultimately, AI has the potential to revolutionise mental healthcare by improving access, diagnosis, and treatment. However, responsible AI use in mental health must have a delicate balance that improves outcomes while safeguarding patient well-being and upholding human dignity.
