Artificial Intelligence and Mental Health

Lessons Learned from Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nate Thoma

AuthorAuthor

Dr. Lana Ruvolo Grasser Winters aka "Dr. Ruvvy" & Naga Alyamani
December 17, 2025

The Rapid Rise of AI 📈

Artificial intelligence, or AI, has been one of the most rapidly adopted technological advancements in human history. ChatGPT, a generative AI, has over 800 million weekly active users. Some have turned to AI chatbots for information on mental health and for support. But how safe, accurate, and effective are these tools? Read on to learn more. 

Why Human Connection Matters 🧠

Studies of child development have shown us the importance of face-to-face communication with other humans. Developmental research has shown us that emotion and self-regulation are contingent on social engagement. As infants, we learn about the world around us and how to navigate it through small and simple ways, like observing the facial expressions of our caregivers and copying their behaviors. Scientists and clinicians are concerned that screens are changing the ways our brains develop, and ultimately effect our social and emotional well-being.

Youth, Social Media, and AI Companions📱

Data from 2024 has indicated that 40% of 8-12 year olds are on social media; this number jumps to 95% in teenagers who spend an average of 5 hours per day on social media apps. In the era of AI, many youth have turned to AI companions and general-purpose chatbots for friendship and, in some cases, mental health support.

Limits and Risks of AI Tools ⚠️

However, AI tools have not been designed to offer high-quality clinical care or to address the loneliness epidemic. Rather, they have been designed to keep users online as long as possible, to maximize corporate profits. Research has shown that this design can lead to AI chatbots perpetuating dangerous or problematic thinking with extremely harmful outcomes for youth (and users of all ages).  

Accuracy and Misinformation Concerns ⁉️

AI tools are flawed in many other ways. Seeking answers regarding mental health and the latest science about best treatment practices or underlying mechanisms? AI will often “hallucinate” information and references. That means AI will sometimes make up information that seems accurate, and attribute that information to a source that does not exist.  

What Can We Do? 

Clinical psychologist Dr. Nate Thoma recommends: 

  • No smartphones until age 14 (at the earliest) 

  • No social media until age 16 (at the earliest) 

  • No smartphones or smartwatches in schools 

  • Increased in-person, screen-free unstructured social time for kids 

  • No AI companions 

If you’re looking for mental health support: 

Free, online single-session interventions that are safe, evidence-based, culturally adapted for multiple languages/populations, and have been designed by psychologists and psychiatrists: 

  • Project EMPOWER for Caregivers:

    • Teaching skills to build bravery and reduce anxiety in children and pre-teens 

    • Currently available in English, Spanish, and Creole 

  • Project YES for Youth 

    • Empowering teens to learn new ways of dealing with stress while helping others to do the same 

    • Currently available in English, Spanish, Creole, German, Turkish, Arabic, Polish, and Ukrainian 

In-Person and Telehealth Services Across Detroit: 

Downtown and Midtown Detroit, MI 

Southwest and West Detroit 

  • Hegira House: 734-427-1144 

  • Hegira-Westland Counseling Center: 734-425-0636 

  • ACCESS: 586-948-0206 

  • First Step for sexual assault and sexual violence crisis line: 734-722-6800 

Wayne County 

  • 24-Hour Crisis/Information and Referral Line: 313-224-7000 or 1-800-241-4949 

  • Wayne County Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner: 313-964-9701 

Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network

  • provides support for serious mental illness, emotional disturbances in children, autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use: 313-344-9099 

Final Note 

AI technologies come at a great cost. They draw our attention and work to keep us on platforms to drive profits, while often making errors and failing to truly meet the needs of users. AI technologies utilize a significant amount of water, geographic, and energetic resources that are already having negative impacts on local communities and the climate. We hope this information will help inform your decision making for engaging with AI tools and encourage you to invest in people rather than technology. Social support is a powerful contributor to positive physical and mental health. As a community, we can support one another and stay resilient.  

The Greenhouse of the Mind:

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