The therapist in your pocket: AI chatbots reshape mental health support, raise new risks

A global survey of 19,000 adults across 18 countries shows that 61 percent of respondents use AI for mental health support, with more than 80 percent uptake in some Asian countries. While many users trust chatbot advice—some even more than human professionals—about a quarter report that following chatbot recommendations has led them toward harmful behavior, underscoring urgent concerns about safety, governance, and clinical oversight.