AI Chatbots Gain Popularity as Affordable Mental Health Support Amid Rising Crisis

If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting “988.”

Vince Lahey of Carefree, Arizona, has embraced chatbots as a mental health resource. From Big Tech products to lesser-known apps, he finds them more approachable than traditional therapy. “I feel more inclined to share more,” Lahey said. “I don’t care about their perception of me.” While the chatbots sometimes berate him or even lead to conflicts with his ex-wife, he values their feedback and support.

The demand for mental health care has surged in recent years. Self-reported poor mental health days increased by 25% since the 1990s, according to a study analyzing survey data. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that suicide rates in 2022 matched a 2018 high, a level not seen in nearly 80 years.

Many patients find AI-powered, nonhuman therapists more appealing than traditional human therapists—especially those with strict schedules, judgmental attitudes, or high costs. Social media is filled with requests for therapists who are “not on the clock,” less judgmental, or more affordable.

Tom Insel, former director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), highlights a critical gap in care. “We’re in a world in which the status quo is really crappy, to use a scientific term,” he said. Insel cited NIMH research showing that 40% of patients receive only minimally acceptable care, despite many needing high-quality therapy.

AI chatbots are gaining traction as a supplement or alternative. Engineers from OpenAI told Insel last fall that 5% to 10% of ChatGPT’s then-800 million users relied on the platform for mental health support. Polling indicates these tools are particularly popular among young adults. A KFF poll found that 3 in 10 adults aged 18 to 29 used AI chatbots for mental or emotional health advice in the past year. Uninsured adults were about twice as likely as insured adults to report using AI tools for mental health support.

Nearly 60% of adult respondents who used a chatbot for mental health did not follow up with a human professional.

The Rise of AI Therapy Apps

A growing industry of AI therapy apps offers human-like avatars to provide support for anxiety, depression, and other conditions. In March, KFF Health News identified about 45 AI therapy apps on Apple’s App Store. While many charge high prices—one app listed an annual plan for $690—they remain far cheaper than traditional talk therapy, which can cost hundreds of dollars per hour without insurance.

On the App Store, the term “therapy” is often used as a marketing tool, with disclaimers noting that these apps cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions. One app, OhSofia! AI Therapy Chat, reported downloads in the six figures by December, according to founder Anton Ilin. “People are looking for therapy,” Ilin said.