Nearly 1 in 5 young Americans use AI for mental health advice, Rutgers expert warns of risks

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Middlesex County) — Nearly one in five American adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 21 are turning to artificial intelligence for mental health information, raising concerns among health professionals about the potential risks of relying on chatbots for emotional support, psychiatric diagnoses and treatment advice.

According to a survey by the nonprofit research organization RAND, approximately 8.2 million young Americans use AI tools to seek mental health information. As chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini become increasingly common sources of advice, a Rutgers University psychiatrist says the technology can provide useful educational resources but should not replace professional mental health care.

Hannah Simon, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and medical director of the Brandt Behavioral Health Treatment Center and Retreat at Rutgers, said young people are increasingly comfortable using technology to explore personal questions, including those involving mental health.

Simon said AI chatbots offer immediate, around-the-clock access to information, often at little or no cost, while allowing users to ask questions privately. Those features can be particularly appealing to young people who may feel uncomfortable discussing emotional concerns with parents or health care professionals.

Limited access to traditional mental health services also contributes to the trend, according to Simon. A shortage of mental health professionals, particularly child and adolescent psychiatrists, can result in lengthy appointment wait times, while limited insurance coverage and out-of-pocket expenses can make treatment difficult to obtain.

Although AI cannot replace professional evaluation or treatment, Simon said chatbots can help young people learn about mental health conditions, understand psychiatric terminology, explore coping strategies and recognize when professional support may be appropriate.

However, she warned that AI systems can also provide inaccurate or misleading information while presenting their responses with a high degree of confidence.

For example, a young person experiencing anxiety, persistent worry or difficulty sleeping might receive an AI-generated response suggesting a particular psychiatric diagnosis. Simon cautioned that chatbots lack the clinical expertise needed to make such determinations, especially because many mental health conditions share similar symptoms and require comprehensive evaluations that consider medical, environmental and other factors.

Another concern involves the tendency of chatbots to provide agreeable and reassuring responses, which Simon said can sometimes reinforce unhealthy patterns of thinking or behavior.

For individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder, for example, treatment often involves learning to tolerate uncertainty rather than repeatedly seeking reassurance. AI chatbots, however, may provide continuous reassurance that temporarily reduces anxiety while reinforcing compulsive behaviors over time.

Simon said the technology can either help young people connect with mental health professionals or create barriers to seeking treatment, depending on how it is used.

Some users may develop an unhealthy dependence on AI for emotional support, potentially reducing meaningful interactions with friends, family members and other people. Others may find that using a chatbot helps them better understand their feelings and develop the language needed to discuss those experiences with a mental health professional.

Simon recommends treating AI as an educational resource rather than a medical authority. While the technology may help users research mental health conditions, treatment options and coping strategies, she cautioned against relying on it for self-diagnosis, medication decisions or managing psychiatric emergencies.

She also recommends verifying important mental health information through established sources, including the National Institute of Mental Health, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and qualified health care professionals.

Privacy is another concern, Simon said, because conversations with AI chatbots may not be fully protected. Young people should be cautious about sharing sensitive personal information and monitor whether their interactions with the technology are increasing anxiety, reinforcing negative habits or interfering with relationships.

Parents also have an important role in helping children navigate the growing use of AI for mental health questions, according to Simon.

Rather than immediately discouraging chatbot use, she recommends that parents approach the subject with curiosity and ask their children how they are using AI, what information they are receiving and whether they find the conversations helpful.

Simon said today’s adolescents and young adults are often more willing to discuss mental health than previous generations, but concerns about how their parents might respond can still prevent them from seeking professional care.

Some young patients worry that their parents do not believe in therapy or may interpret a need for treatment as evidence that something is wrong with them. Others are concerned about the financial burden mental health services could place on their families, making AI an appealing alternative to difficult conversations.

According to Simon, a teenager seeking mental health advice from AI is not necessarily a reason for alarm. It may instead indicate that the young person recognizes an emotional challenge and is beginning to look for help.

She encouraged parents to use those situations as opportunities to discuss mental health openly and help their children access appropriate support when needed.

However, parents should watch for warning signs that AI use is becoming unhealthy, particularly when chatbot interactions interfere with sleep, schoolwork, social activities or other responsibilities, or contribute to excessive worry about possible mental health diagnoses.

Simon said the goal should not necessarily be to prevent young people from using AI, but to understand why they are turning to the technology and ensure they feel comfortable seeking support from parents, trusted adults and qualified professionals.

The Brandt Behavioral Health Treatment Center and Retreat at Rutgers provides evidence-based behavioral health care and outpatient services for children, adolescents and young adults in New Jersey.