Use of AI in Mental Health Care: Community and Mental Health Professionals Survey

Use of AI in Mental Health Care: Community and Mental Health Professionals Survey

2024 | Shane Cross, Imogen Bell, Jennifer Nicholas, Lee Valentine, Shaminka Mangelsdorf, Simon Baker, Nick Titov, Mario Alvarez-Jimenez
This study explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health care by community members (CMs) and mental health professionals (MHPs) in Australia. The research involved two web-based surveys with 107 CMs and 86 MHPs. The findings indicate that AI is increasingly used by both groups, with CMs primarily using it for quick support and as a personal therapist, while MHPs use it for research and report writing. Both groups generally view AI as beneficial, but they also express concerns about potential harms, including misdiagnosis, data privacy, and ethical issues. The study highlights the need for careful integration of AI into mental health systems, addressing legal and ethical concerns while developing safeguards to mitigate potential harms. Despite the potential benefits of AI in improving accessibility, cost reduction, personalization, and work efficiency, there is a need for further research to track the use and acceptability of AI in mental health care over time. The study underscores the importance of balancing technological advancement with the training and education of both MHPs and CMs in safe use. The results suggest that AI has the potential to complement traditional mental health services, but its implementation must be approached with caution to ensure it serves the genuine needs of end users.This study explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health care by community members (CMs) and mental health professionals (MHPs) in Australia. The research involved two web-based surveys with 107 CMs and 86 MHPs. The findings indicate that AI is increasingly used by both groups, with CMs primarily using it for quick support and as a personal therapist, while MHPs use it for research and report writing. Both groups generally view AI as beneficial, but they also express concerns about potential harms, including misdiagnosis, data privacy, and ethical issues. The study highlights the need for careful integration of AI into mental health systems, addressing legal and ethical concerns while developing safeguards to mitigate potential harms. Despite the potential benefits of AI in improving accessibility, cost reduction, personalization, and work efficiency, there is a need for further research to track the use and acceptability of AI in mental health care over time. The study underscores the importance of balancing technological advancement with the training and education of both MHPs and CMs in safe use. The results suggest that AI has the potential to complement traditional mental health services, but its implementation must be approached with caution to ensure it serves the genuine needs of end users.
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