These Chatbots Are Helping With Mental Health Right Now
Chatbots: Technology that Cares
Mental Health and Why New Tools Are So Important
Delivering proper care to those with mental health needs has always been a challenge.
In 2019, the WHO reported that depression affects over 264 million people, and almost 800,000 die by suicide each year. Additionally, they state that psychological illnesses are the leading global cause of disability as they make up over 10% of the global burden of disease and 30% of non-fatal disease burden.
It is estimated that about 26% of American adults have a diagnosable mental disorder.
These illnesses manifest in different ways and can affect people of all ages, races, and genders. One common challenge among those afflicted is visiting the clinic or hospital for treatment; this is often due to the fear of the stigma surrounding mental health.
Enter chatbots!
Tech companies worldwide are combining the power of artificial intelligence with the portability of smartphones to create chatbots tuned to help patients with mental health concerns. These conversational agents support patients while offering a high level of privacy and anonymity.
