Jessica, who is 25 years old, finds herself waking up with both a throbbing head and an increasing feeling of dread. This isn’t merely due to the aftermath of a night filled with dance and alcohol; rather, it’s a deep-seated anxiety that grips her as daylight streams in.
Her thoughts spiral: is she falling behind in life? Is she capable of love? As her mind races, she turns to the one confidant who's always available: ChatGPT
"She mentioned that it had become a place where she could ‘vent her trauma’ without concern for whether it could emotionally reciprocate or not. Other times, she simply needed to express frustration or discuss something briefly and then conclude the interaction, free from the obligation of maintaining a dialogue since it wasn’t with an actual person.”
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OpenAI's chatbot has helped her through heartbreaks and job losses, and it's judgment free. "I know ChatGPT is an AI bot, but it makes me feel heard and validates my feelings more than any human does sometimes," she said.
For Jessica, who is between jobs, the structured and rational responses of an AI chatbot feel grounding - almost more reassuring than a late-night call to a friend and far cheaper than therapy. She's not alone.
As therapy costs rise and mental health stigma persists, more people - especially the young - are turning to chatbots for quick emotional fixes. Whether coping with break-ups or career dilemmas, these AI companions are helping to reshape how some grapple with stress and vulnerability.
In China, DeepSeek has become an alternative to traditional therapy for some young people, who turn to the AI app for advice and introspection. Meanwhile, in the United States, a 2021 study by therapeutic chatbot company Woebot Health found that 22 per cent of adults had used a mental health chatbot, while nearly half expressed interest in doing so.
Singapore was an early adopter of artificial intelligence for mental health, launching Wysa in 2020 as a response to the pandemic. The chatbot offers access to meditation, breathing exercises and pep talks to help users manage their mental health challenges.
More than 90 per cent of Wysa users have reported feeling emotional relief and being able to reframe their thoughts, according to Pranav Gupta, global head of commercial and partnerships at Wysa. Many had sought support for workplace and relationship issues exacerbated by the pandemic.
John Lim, who serves as the chief well-being officer at the Singapore Counselling Centre, mentioned that these chatbots offer a "judgment-free" environment where individuals can freely share their thoughts.
He mentioned that he has come across people using AI chatbots for emotional backing, frequently as an initial move before consulting professionals or as an addition to their therapy sessions. For those new to counseling, these AI chatbots serve as a tender introduction to grasping what receiving support entails.
AI chatbots have emerged as the initial point of support for a generation grappling with mental health issues.
According to a 2024 survey conducted by the Institute of Mental Health, almost one-third of individuals between the ages of 15 and 35 in Singapore indicated experiencing signs of depression, anxiety, or stress. Among the 2,600 participants, about one-fourth reported having significant or very intense feelings of anxiety during the previous week.
Adam, who specializes as a trauma recovery therapist and relationship coach at The Good Life Counselling, stated that the reliance on AI chatbots highlights a significant "emotional and mental health crisis."
"Individuals find it difficult to obtain proper care, so they resort to whatever is readily accessible. In most instances, these platforms permit people to express their emotions and receive some form of response," she explained.
Although these AI platforms provide such accessibility and even a sense of connection... they lack the depth, subtlety, and emotional resonance required for genuine healing in the end.
Not everybody resorts to chatbots seeking empathy, though. For instance, Vanessa*, aged 32, utilizes them as tools for organizing her thoughts. Considering a relocation overseas, Vanessa sought guidance from ChatGPT.
“I believe I wasn’t particularly seeking emotional support; instead, I needed someone impartial to listen to me. I was engaged in significant personal exploration to clarify my preferences regarding my career and relationships,” she explained.
Vanessa views ChatGPT as just one of several “resources” available to her, complemented by traditional face-to-face therapy sessions. She remarked, "Nothing beats talking directly to a therapist in person. An effective therapist possesses an array of techniques and strategies tailored to address various issues such as using EMDR therapy for managing anxiety."
Vanessa noted that even with its constraints, the chatbot’s availability couldn’t be denied. It served as an affordable substitute for individual therapy sessions, which typically range from S$80 to S$300 (approximately US$60-US$225), often costing much more.
Jessica voiced similar feelings about her AI “companion,” noting that it seemed quite authentic. She explained, "Though I haven’t been to therapy myself, talking to those who have suggests that the guidance provided feels akin to what one might receive from an actual therapist.” Jessica highlighted how useful she finds its impartiality and organization.
Nonetheless, mental health experts caution that although AI chatbots provide quick, available, and unbiased assistance, they cannot substitute for professional therapy.
Just compared chatbots to brief pieces of mental wellness material found on social platforms, offering easily digestible guidance, comfort, and affirmation, thereby assisting individuals in feeling acknowledged, supported, and valued.
Lim pointed out potential dangers including incorrect guidance, absence of responsibility, perpetuation of detrimental behaviors, and excessive dependency. He mentioned, "Instances have occurred where chatbots offered ineffective or potentially damaging recommendations, like proposing harmful ways to cope or not recognizing critical situations."
Gupta from Wysa highlighted that AI is not meant to “replace therapy,” but rather to make support more readily available. "AI will never substitute for human therapists. Rather, it acts as a crucial supplement—filling voids, offering assistance between appointments, and connecting with individuals who may have otherwise never sought help," he stated.
The future of mental health care won't be about choosing between AI and therapists. It will involve AI and therapists collaborating.
Nur concurred, observing that chatbots enable patients to express themselves between appointments or manage tough feelings when cut off from their support network. However, she warned against confusing artificial intelligence with genuine human connections.
"The primary risk associated with depending on AI for mental health assistance lies in the false sense of genuine interaction. You might think you’re receiving attention as responses come back at you rather than feeling ignored or disrespected... however, this falls short of providing the profound engagement necessary for authentic recovery,” she explained.
*Names altered upon participants' request
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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
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