Many people use AI chatbots for mental health support while waiting for therapy. These chatbots offer 24/7 help and coping strategies, which some find comforting during tough times. However, experts warn chatbots can give biased or harmful advice and cannot replace human therapists. Despite this, NHS services use chatbots to help with long waiting lists.
Let’s read the article and learn more about how AI chatbots support mental health.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ced2ywg7246o
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to clutch at straws” mean? “There is not a lot of help out there at the moment, so you clutch at straws.“ Use it in a sentence.
- What is a “stopgap”? “[It] is a stop gap to these huge waiting lists… to get people a tool while they are waiting to talk to a healthcare professional.” Use it in your own sentence.
- What are “escalation pathways”? “It has in-built crisis and escalation pathways whereby users are signposted to helplines or can send for help directly if they show signs of self-harm or suicidal ideation.” Use this term in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What is your reaction to the idea of using AI chatbots as mental health support tools? Do you think they can genuinely help people?
- . What are the pros and cons of relying on chatbots like Wysa or Character.ai during a mental health crisis?
- Have you or someone you know ever used an AI chatbot for emotional or psychological support? What was the experience like?
- Do you agree with the article’s view that chatbots may work as a stopgap but cannot replace real therapists? Why or why not?
- What safeguards do you think should be in place to protect users who turn to AI for mental health support?