As mental health challenges among young people continue to rise, a growing number of adolescents and young adults are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for emotional support and mental health advice. A new study suggests that nearly one in five young Americans has used an AI chatbot for mental health-related guidance, underscoring the increasingly important role these tools play in the daily lives of young people.
The findings come at a time when access to mental health services remains limited for many adolescents, while generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini have become widely available and easy to access.
Widespread mental health concerns
The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, was conducted against the backdrop of a continuing youth mental health crisis in the United States. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in three high school students reported experiencing poor mental health most or all of the time during the previous month. In addition, more than 20 percent reported having seriously considered suicide, while nearly one in ten reported at least one suicide attempt.
Researchers sought to better understand whether young people are increasingly using AI chatbots as an alternative or complement to traditional mental health support. To investigate this, researchers surveyed 1,009 adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 21 from across the United States. Statistical weighting methods were used to ensure the results reflected a population of more than 42 million young people nationwide.
Participants were asked whether they had used AI chatbots for advice when feeling sad, anxious, angry or stressed, how frequently they used the technology, whether they found the advice helpful, and whether they had discussed their chatbot use with others.
Usage grows rapidly among adolescents
The survey found that 19.1 percent of respondents had used an AI chatbot for mental health support. This represents a notable increase compared with a similar survey conducted a year earlier, when 13 percent reported using AI for the same purpose.
Among those who had sought mental health advice from chatbots, more than 40 percent reported doing so at least once a month. Daily or near-daily use was reported by 5.8 percent of users.
Researchers also identified differences between demographic groups. Older adolescents and young adults were more likely to use AI chatbots than younger respondents, while female participants reported higher usage rates than males. Use was also more common among individuals who had consulted a physician about mental health concerns within the previous six months.
Secrecy raises concerns
One of the study’s most striking findings was that many young people keep their chatbot use private. Nearly two-thirds (63.3 percent) of users reported not telling parents, friends or others that they were using AI chatbots for mental health support. At the same time, the overwhelming majority of users, almost 92 percent, said they found the advice helpful.
Researchers caution, however, that perceived helpfulness does not necessarily equate to clinical effectiveness. Generative AI systems are designed to provide supportive and engaging responses, which may lead users to feel understood and validated. However, this does not guarantee that the information provided is accurate, evidence-based or appropriate for complex mental health situations.
Integrating AI safely
The researchers conclude that AI chatbots are becoming a significant component of the mental health information ecosystem for young people. As adoption continues to grow, they argue that parents, educators and healthcare professionals should actively engage in conversations about AI use.
Rather than discouraging the technology outright, experts suggest helping young people understand both its potential benefits and limitations. Clear guidance, realistic expectations and continued access to qualified mental health professionals will be essential to ensure that AI serves as a supportive tool rather than a substitute for professional care.
The findings highlight a rapidly evolving landscape in which digital technologies are increasingly shaping how young people seek emotional support and mental health information.
Risks, myths and gaps
In april we wrote about generative AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude that are increasingly used not only for information, but also for emotional support and companionship. A recent analysis of global media coverage examined 36 reported mental health crises linked to AI chatbots and found that news reporting tends to focus on severe outcomes, such as suicide and psychiatric hospitalization, potentially overstating real-world risks.
Researchers highlight the “compassion illusion,” where AI-generated responses create the impression of empathy and understanding, despite lacking clinical judgment or a duty of care. This can lead vulnerable users to place excessive trust in systems that are not designed to provide safe mental health support. Concerns also exist about over-reliance on chatbots, which may replace human support networks without offering appropriate intervention when problems escalate.
Experts emphasize that evidence on AI-related mental health risks remains limited and call for more research, stronger safeguards, crisis detection mechanisms and clearer guidance for clinicians and users.
