Why one charity is pushing back on mental health chatbots (www.techradar.com)

The suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has released research highlighting that 1 in 4 people in the UK are using AI-based tools for mental health advice, with usage among Gen Z soaring to 42%. While AI offers immediate and cost-free mental health support, CALM urges caution, pointing out that many tools currently lack proper regulation and clinical validation. This concern is compounded by a troubling trend where individuals are prioritizing spending on mental health apps over essential needs, as they grapple with escalating living costs. In response, CALM has launched the CALMzone app, a free mental health toolkit designed to provide structured support through evidence-based techniques, distinctly avoiding the pitfalls of AI chatbots, such as the risk of hallucinations and unregulated AI responses. Unlike AI-driven options, CALMzone is developed by mental health experts and focuses on user feedback to tailor experiences, emphasizing a philosophy that prioritizes access to mental wellness without financial barriers. This initiative aims to fill the gap between inadequate traditional support and the risks posed by impulsively turning to AI, promoting a more balanced and ethically sound approach to mental health for users, especially the vulnerable youth demographic.