10 Risks and Benefits of Using AI Chatbots for Mental Health Management

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for mental health have rapidly gone mainstream. One nationally-representative study published in JAMA Network Open found that around one in eight teenagers and young adults now use generative AI tools for mental health advice. And this number is climbing to one in five among 18-to-21-year-olds.¹ 

The appeal is clear: mental health chatbots are available around the clock, cost little or come free, and can provide rapid answers to your questions. However, the question of whether these digital mental health tools actually help – and what risks they carry – is far more complicated. 

This article breaks down 10 risks and benefits for using chatbots for therapy and mental health support, including: 

• When relying on an AI chatbot might delay much-needed professional care
• How chatbots can improve access to immediate emotional support
• Why privacy, security, and appropriateness are major concerns
• What the research says about chatbot effectiveness

10 Potential Benefits of Using Chatbots For Mental Health Support

AI chatbots for mental health can offer several potential advantages, especially for those who are facing barriers to accessing care. Research is still catching up with how quickly these tools have spread online, but the evidence so far has illuminated the meaningful benefits of mental health chatbots. However, these benefits only exist when chatbots are used appropriately and alongside professional support. 

These benefits include:

1. Availability Anytime, Anywhere: 

Mental health chatbots never close and can provide immediate support. One 2025 study in Frontiers in Digital Health found that clinicians rated 24/7 availability as one of the strongest advances of AI-based tools in mental health care.² 

2. Reduced Cost Barriers: 

Many digital mental health tools are free or cost only a fraction of what traditional therapy appointments may charge per session. Such accessibility matters in a system where affordability is often a reason why people in need don’t seek help. Several online tools and chatbots offer structured support without requiring insurance or any copayment. 

3. Early Evidence of Symptom Improvement: 

The first randomized controlled trial of a generative AI chatbot, published in NEJM AI last year, found that participants using their tool saw a 51% reduction in depressive symptoms, a 31% reduction in anxiety symptoms, and a 19% decrease in eating disorder concerns over eight weeks.³ Researchers noted these improvements were comparable to outcomes in traditional outpatient care.⁴ 

4. Reduced Stigma for Accessing Care: 

One 2026 survey found that more than one in three people who use AI chatbots for mental health noted fear of judgment or social stigma as their primary reason for foregoing a human provider.⁵ 

5. Accessible Evidence-Based Techniques: 

Many purposefully-built chatbots for therapy are designed around established approaches. These include cognitive-behavioral therapy, delivering exercises, mood tracking, and guided self-reflection based on clinically-tested frameworks.⁶ 

6. Support Between Therapy Sessions: 

Chatbots can also reinforce the work that happens with your therapist, which can help people practice the skills they learn with more consistency outside of sessions. 

7. Accessibility: 

In the U.S., there is an average of around 1,600 people with depression or anxiety for every available provider.⁴ For someone forced to wait to see a clinician, a chatbot grounded in evidence-based mental health techniques can be a meaningful first step. This is especially the case when compared to simply waiting for your appointment. 

8. High User Engagement: 

People tend to use AI-based tools actively when given access. In fact, many users initiate conversations on their own or during periods of time when they feel most distressed, no matter the time of day. 

9. Personalized Content

As AI tools respond to the information that a user inputs, they can often deliver personalized support and exercises for improving symptoms. 

10. Serving as a First Point of Contact: 

Research shows that digital mental health tools can be a low-pressure entry point that nudges people toward more comprehensive care. One review found that chatbot-based apps allow people to both access support anonymously and, in some cases, transition to face-to-face services over time.⁷

10 Potential Risks of Using Chatbots For Mental Health Support

Research is ongoing around the potential benefits of mental health chatbots – but using these AI applications also comes with serious limitations and risks. These include the following.

1. Dangerous Responses in Crisis Situations: 

Stanford University’s 2025 study tested five popular chatbots and found they failed to appropriately respond to signs of suicidal ideation. In fact, multiple applications provided information that enabled dangerous behavior instead of redirecting the person to safety.⁸ On average, chatbots responded inappropriately 20% of the time in these scenarios, compared to 7% of the time for human therapists.⁹ 

2. Built-in Bias and Stigma: 

The same Stanford study found that AI chatbots displayed higher levels of stigma toward certain conditions, such as alcohol use disorder and schizophrenia. Newer large language models showed just as much bias as older ones, suggesting the problem is not improving on its own.⁹

3. A Lack of Federal Regulation: 

The FDA has authorized more than 1,200 AI-enabled medical devices, but as of late 2025, none have been approved for mental health applications. Identifying misdiagnosis, mistreatment, worsening health conditions, and suicide are the biggest risks yet to be answered for.^10,11

4. Privacy Concerns: 

Most mental health apps are not covered by HIPAA because they do not qualify as covered health entities. This leaves the door open for these companies to sell your sensitive data to third-party advertisers. 

5. Limited Clinician Evidence of Effectiveness: 

A 2025 review found that only 16% of studies in 2024 involved clinical efficacy testing.¹² 

6. The Risk of Using LLMs to Replace Professional Care: 

The American Psychological Association has noted that commercially available chatbots are not a viable replacement for human-delivered therapy. In fact, Illinois became one of the first states to ban AI from making independent decisions in therapy.^9,13

7. Struggles to Understand Nuance: 

AI chatbots generate responses based on language patterns, not from understanding emotions, trauma, or clinical complexity. This means they are at risk of validating delusions and poor choices rather than gently challenging them. 

8. Emotional Dependency: 

Research on chatbot-based mental health apps has found that the convenience and constant availability of these tools can lead to over-reliance. Therefore, some people might come to prefer them to family, friends, or professionals.¹⁴

9. No Accountability: 

There are established systems of accountability if a licensed professional causes harm to a patient. Yet no equivalent framework exists for most AI chatbots in mental health, raising questions as to who is responsible for reporting adverse events and who to hold accountable. 

10. Risks for Vulnerable Populations: 

The FDA’s Digital Health Advisory Committee stated that the bar for approval of AI mental health devices would need to be especially high for minors. In fact, multiple lawsuits alleging that chatbot interactions contributed to the suicides of minors have been filed against AI companies.^11,13

A Mission For Michael Is Here to Help

Digital mental health tools can be a useful starting point for getting help, but they weren’t designed to treat the complex conditions that can disrupt your daily life. When mental health symptoms are making things difficult, AMFM provides the structured, evidence-based care you need to start (and maintain) the healing process. 

If you’ve been relying on chatbots for therapy and other digital mental health tools, then you might benefit from a higher level of support. Let us walk you through your treatment options and take the next step in the recovery process. 

Contact our team today to learn more about our services and how we can help. 

Frequently Asked Questions About the Benefits and Risks of AI-Based Chatbots For Mental Health

If you have, or are considering, using AI chatbots for mental health reasons, it’s natural to have some concerns about their benefits and risks. So we’ve provided the following answers to FAQs on these AI tools to help you make an informed decision. 

Should I Tell My Therapist I Am Using a Mental Health Chatbot?

Yes, letting your therapist know you are using an AI chatbot for mental health allows them to factor this into your treatment plan. A therapist can help you identify which chatbot features complement your care and flag any responses that may conflict with your goals. Open communication also ensures your provider can monitor whether the chatbot is reinforcing healthy coping strategies or introducing patterns that could slow your progress.

How Can I Tell if a Mental Health Chatbot Is Evidence-Based?

Look for tools developed in collaboration with licensed mental health professionals and grounded in recognized therapeutic frameworks like cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy. 

If a chatbot makes bold claims about treating specific conditions but provides no published research or professional affiliations, treat those claims with caution.

Are Mental Health Chatbots Safe for People in Crisis?

Mental health chatbots should not be relied upon as a primary resource during a mental health crisis. Anyone experiencing a mental health emergency should contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Can a Mental Health Chatbot Diagnose a Mental Health Condition?

No, AI chatbots for mental health are not licensed to diagnose any condition, and most are explicitly designed to avoid doing so. A clinical diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified provider who can assess symptoms in context, rule out medical causes, and consider personal history. The FDA has not authorized any generative AI chatbot to diagnose or treat mental health conditions, and tools that imply diagnostic capability without regulatory clearance may be providing misleading information.

If you suspect you may have a diagnosable condition, the most reliable next step is scheduling an evaluation with a licensed mental health professional.

References

1. McBain, R. K., Bozick, R., Diliberti, M., et al. (2025). Use of generative AI for mental health advice among US adolescents and young adults. JAMA Network Open, 8(11), e2542281. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.42281
2. Hipgrave, L., Goldie, J., Dennis, S., & Coleman, A. (2025). Balancing risks and benefits: Clinicians’ perspectives on the use of generative AI chatbots in mental healthcare. Frontiers in Digital Health, 7, 1606291. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1606291/full
3. Heinz, M. V., Mackin, D. M., Trudeau, B. M., et al. (2025). Randomized trial of a generative AI chatbot for mental health treatment. NEJM AI. https://ai.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/AIoa2400802
4. Dartmouth College. (2025, March 27). First therapy chatbot trial yields mental health benefits. https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/03/first-therapy-chatbot-trial-yields-mental-health-benefits
5. Cognitive FX. (2026, January 14). Survey reveals more than 1 in 3 people use AI chatbots for mental health support due to fear of judgement. https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/mental-health-ai-chatbot-survey
6. Psychiatry Advisor. (2025, August 15). Exploring the use of AI chatbots in mental health care. https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/features/ai-chatbots-in-mental-health-care/
7. Haque, M. D. R., & Rubya, S. (2023). An overview of chatbot-based mobile mental health apps: Insights from app description and user reviews. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 11, e44838. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10242473/
8. Stanford University. (2025, June 11). New study warns of risks in AI mental health tools. https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/06/ai-mental-health-care-tools-dangers-risks
9. American Psychological Association. (2025, July 22). Can chatbots replace therapists? New research says no. https://www.apaservices.org/practice/business/technology/on-the-horizon/chatbots-replace-therapists
10. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2025, November 17). Experts discuss potential benefits, harms, safeguards of using AI chatbots for mental health. AAP News. https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/33711/Experts-discuss-potential-benefits-harms
11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, November 6). Digital Health Advisory Committee meeting: Generative artificial intelligence-enabled digital mental health medical devices [Meeting summary]. https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/advisory-committee-calendar/november-6-2025-digital-health-advisory-committee-meeting-announcement
12. Hua, Y., Siddals, S., Torous, J., et al. (2025). Charting the evolution of artificial intelligence mental health chatbots from rule-based systems to large language models: A systematic review. World Psychiatry, 24(3), 383–394. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12434366/
13. Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. (2025). Manatt Health: Health AI policy tracker. https://www.manatt.com/insights/newsletters/health-highlights/manatt-health-health-ai-policy-tracker
14. Haque, M. D. R., & Rubya, S. (2023). An overview of chatbot-based mobile mental health apps: Insights from app description and user reviews. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 11, e44838. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10242473/