Mental Health in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere. The intersection of mental health, physical health, and artificial intelligence (AI) has become a critical area of research, as new AI technologies weave their way into many aspects of daily life at various levels of noticeability. AI applications have the potential to revolutionize mental health care by improving accessibility, personalization, and effectiveness of treatments. They also merit discourse around privacy, ethical implications, and the potential for exacerbating mental health issues. This Research Topic aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between AI and mental health, as well as technological innovation and psychological resilience in the digital era.

The primary goal of this Research Topic is to describe how artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied in mental health as well as elucidate the discussion of how AI can present both advantages and limitations to mental health. AI offers novel interventions, predictive analytics for early detection of mental health issues, and democratization of access to mental health resources. It also presents challenges including dependency, privacy concerns, and potential negative impacts on mental well-being, including through fear of or realized job displacement. This Research Topic aims to collate empirical research, systematic reviews, and thought-provoking theoretical papers that examine AI's effects on mental health. It will also seek contributions that propose frameworks for the ethical design and implementation of AI in mental and physical health practices, ensuring that these technologies are leveraged to enhance, rather than undermine, psychological well-being. Through a multidisciplinary lens, this collection will aim to chart a course for responsibly navigating the intersection of AI and mental health.

This Research Topic explores AI's broad implications for mental health. Specific themes include the acceptability and/or efficacy of AI-driven or enhanced mental health interventions, the impact of AI on mental health in diverse settings such as the workplace and senior care, and ethical considerations in AI applications for mental health. Recognizing the connection between mental and physical health, we also seek contributions that consider AI's potential in enhancing overall health outcomes by bridging the mental-physical divide. We are interested in quantitative and qualitative studies, reviews, case studies, and opinion pieces that critically assess outcomes of AI integration in mental health contexts. Manuscripts should focus on current and emerging AI technologies, ethical frameworks for their use, patient/Lived Experience and provider perspectives, and/or policy implications. The objective is to create a compendium of diverse insights that can inform best practices and guide future research in the burgeoning field of AI and mental health.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, Maching Learning, Computational Psychiatry, Digital Mental Health, eHealth, electronic health

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.