AI and Mental Health: The Ethics of Using Chatbots as a Therapist

AI and Mental Health: The Ethics of Using Chatbots as a Therapist

It’s 11pm. You can’t sleep. You’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and your thoughts are spiralling. Instead of texting a friend or scrolling endlessly, you open a mental health app. Within seconds, a chatbot greets you: “Hi there, how can I help you tonight?” It asks you to rate your mood, suggests some breathing exercises, and offers supportive phrases like, “You’re doing your best.” It feels reassuring. Safe. Like someone’s really there. But is it therapy?

The Rise of Mental Health Misinformation on Social Media: Why Nuance Matters in a Viral World

The Rise of Mental Health Misinformation on Social Media: Why Nuance Matters in a Viral World

You’ve probably seen it while scrolling: a video that says “If you get nervous when someone takes too long to reply, you might have anxious attachment,” or a reel warning, “That person who set a boundary? They’re a narcissist.” These clips are short, punchy, and often relatable. They speak directly to how you’re feeling—and they get shared fast. But there’s a growing problem: not all of it is accurate, and some of it can do more harm than good.

Cure versus Recovered: What It Means to Get Better

Cure versus Recovered: What It Means to Get Better

When it comes to mental health, the word recovery gets used a lot — but it can mean very different things depending on who you ask. Some people imagine recovery as being cured, as if anxiety, OCD, depression or trauma can be completely erased. Others see recovery as something more fluid: learning to live well, even with the challenges that might still show up from time to time.