AI to Help Patients in Mental Healthcare

Hyderabad: Artificial intelligence (AI) could play a role in mental healthcare, by helping healthcare providers offer support to individuals suffering from psychological ailments through AI-powered chatbots.

AI-driven avatars can act as informative companions, helping patients better understand their symptoms, treatment options, and the overall mental health journey, it was stated. These digital assistants provide immediate and private support, making mental health information more accessible and convenient.

Experts cautioned cautioned that human supervision remained essential when using AI in mental healthcare.

According to an IT professional, the integration of AI and virtual reality (VR) into mental healthcare helds considerable promise for improving accessibility, personalisation, and the effectiveness of treatment.

Hemanth Satyanarayana, technical adviser at Mind and Neuro Centre in the city, said, ” AI-based assistants can help clinicians manage therapy sessions by tracking patient progress, organising critical data, and identifying key insights. This support enables psychiatrists and psychologists to focus more on their interactions with patients, facilitating personalised and effective care.”

He explained that companies were working on leveraging VR technology for exposure therapy, creating immersive environments to help individuals safely confront anxieties and phobias. “These virtual settings include scenarios such as flights, crowded spaces, or situations that could trigger obsessive-compulsive anxieties. Within these controlled environments, patients can choose guidance from either an AI therapist or a human psychologist,” Satyanarayana explained.

Medical experts stressed on the need for human oversight in AI-driven mental healthcare.

Dr Jyothirmayi Kotipalli, chief psychiatrist at Manaha Clinic, explained, “Many tech companies are investing heavily in AI research to make mental healthcare more accessible and effective. In Canada, securing an appointment with a mental health professional can take four to five months, and similar delays exist in other countries. In such cases, AI plays an important role in bridging the gap.”

“AI’s role in psychiatry includes chatbots such as Woebot and Wysa, which facilitate comfortable and accessible conversations about mental health. Additionally, mental health apps focusing on mindfulness, meditation, sleep, and self-monitoring are gaining traction,” she explained.

Although AI-driven mental healthcare is widely adopted in the West, Indian mental health professionals believe it is still in its early stages, given that every individual is unique.

Psychiatric social worker Anita Rego, from Amita Care Counselling and Psychotherapy, said, “When it comes to technology, 1+1 equals 2, but when dealing with human beings and mental health issues, 1+1 can be 3, 1, or any other number. There is no fixed formula because of individual uniqueness. The context and dynamic response vary.”

She explained, “AI requires extensive machine learning and deep-tech advancements, relying on large volumes of data, which are currently limited. Since AI is predominantly data-driven, this limitation should not be overlooked.”

Anita also cautioned, “When dealing with mental health, human engagement is crucial. Experts well-versed in the field must guide AI-driven interventions. AI can serve as a supportive tool but should not replace human expertise.”

Based on her experience using several AI tools, Anita remarked, “Human beings are inherently social and made to connect with one another. Technology can only serve as a supportive tool.”

She concluded, “AI in the mental health space is still in its early stages. While it shows promise in certain cognitive areas such as yoga, communication skills, and basic health enhancements, human involvement remains essential for deeper and more effective mental healthcare.”