Four AI chatbots focused on mental health - Can an app provide self-help depression interventions?

(Photo: Pixabay/Anastasia Gepp)

Although mental health is being talked about more and more, there is a significant number of people who still consider it a shame to go to a psychiatrist, while others do not have time for sessions in the accelerated pace of modern life. This is exactly where AI chatbots aimed at mental health come into play. Easily accessible, they help us to cope with life`s crises and challenges and to understand how we feel.

2022 Research on the Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Therapy, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found, by analyzing 10 studies, that the use of artificial intelligence could significantly positively improve psychotherapy and reduce clinical symptoms of mental disorders.

We present to you 4 AI chatbots aimed at improving mental health.

Woebot - How do you feel?

Woebot is a chatbot that uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help people manage their mental health. It`s designed for daily therapy sessions and specifically targets symptoms of depression and anxiety, including postpartum depression..

Woebot is based on the premise that talking to somebody about how you are feeling - even if that somebody isn`t human - can help you understand and manage your emotions better. Each day Woebot starts by asking how you`re feeling, and then it will give you activities and challenges to do, teaching the users how to manage their emotions better over time.

Ebb - Support through life`s ups and downs

The Mental health app Headspace has launched a chatbot called Ebb, which uses generative artificial intelligence to provide users with instant, personalized support through life`s ups and downs, the company said.

As they revealed to Fast Company, Ebb was specially trained by clinical psychologists and data scientists in the technique of motivational interviewing, an scientifically-backed methodology that helps people make positive changes in behavior.

Chatbot does not provide mental health advice, guidance or diagnoses. If the user appears to be at risk of immediate danger, Ebb will respond quickly, note that the problem is beyond its capabilities and share the national crisis line number, which is available with just a click.

Wysa - Trust the bot without fear of judgment

Wysa is another mental health chatbot that uses cognitive behavioral therapy technics. They offer self-help tools so you can reframe your issues and see them in a different light.

The creators reassure users that their conversation history is 100% private and won`t be seen by anyone other than the bot, and that they can share all their concerns and problems without fear of judgment.

The members also have access to a library of educational self-care material. Topics include relationships, trauma and loneliness. With the premium supscription you can interact with qualified professional therapists as well. They also offer business solutions for employers, with some extra features for teams. It will look for signs of crisis or people who require extra support and then redirect them to resources like EAP, behavioral health providers, or even a crisis helpline.

Earkick - Panda analyzes both blinking and speech rate

The main goal of the Earkick app is to monitor the user`s mood, anxiety level, certain health parameters (such as heart rate and sleep duration via Apple Watch), menstrual cycle, but also the influence of weather and location on mood.

The user can talk to the panda icon via text, video or voice message about how they feel without registering or entering personal data. When assessing mental health, the application takes into account the user`s responses about their feelings, but also a host of other parameters, from speech speed, eyebrow movements, blinking, heart rate, sleep length, context. By cross-referencing the data, the user will get an assessment that, for example, he is currently scared and nervous about work and eating habits.

Earkick also suggests short audio breathing exercises or stress reduction techniques based on your current mood.