Emotional support is an increasingly common reason people are turning to generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and wellness applications. However, these tools currently lack scientific validation and regulatory oversight to ensure user safety, according to a new health advisory issued by the American Psychological Association (APA).
The APA Health Advisory on the Use of Generative AI Chatbots and Wellness Applications for Mental Health examined the growing use of consumer technologies for emotional support, advice, and even treatment—despite not being designed for those purposes. Because they are inexpensive and easily accessible, such tools appeal to individuals who face barriers in obtaining or affording care from licensed mental health professionals.
“We are in the midst of a major mental health crisis that requires systemic solutions, not just technological stopgaps,” said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. “While chatbots seem readily available to offer users support and validation, their ability to safely guide someone in crisis is limited and unpredictable.”
Technology’s Promise Should Not Distract from Mental Health Reform
The advisory emphasizes that while technological innovation can help address the mental health crisis, it must not divert attention from the urgent need to strengthen the foundations of America’s mental health care system.
The report provides guidance for policymakers, researchers, clinicians, parents, caregivers, tech companies, and the public, outlining their roles in ensuring user safety in a rapidly evolving digital environment. It seeks to prevent the burden of navigating untested and unregulated AI tools from falling solely on consumers.
Key Mental Health Recommendations for Safe AI Integration
The APA advisory outlines several core recommendations:
Avoid using AI chatbots and wellness applications as substitutes for professional care from qualified mental health providers.
Prevent the formation of unhealthy attachments or dependencies between users and these technologies.
Implement specific safeguards for children, adolescents, and other vulnerable groups.
“The development of AI technologies has outpaced our understanding of their effects,” Evans said. “We are already seeing reports of significant harm, particularly among adolescents and other at-risk populations. In some cases, this can be life-threatening, underscoring the need for psychological science at every stage of development.”
Research Standards Needed to Evaluate AI Mental Health Tools
According to the advisory, even AI tools developed using sound psychological principles lack sufficient evidence proving their safety and effectiveness in mental health care. The APA calls for rigorous randomized clinical trials and longitudinal studies to evaluate outcomes over time.
To make such research possible, technology companies and policymakers must commit to transparency regarding how these tools are designed, trained, and deployed.
Modernizing Mental Health Regulations for an AI-Driven Future
Current regulatory frameworks are inadequate to meet the realities of AI in mental health care, the APA warns. It calls on federal policymakers to:
- Modernize regulations and create evidence-based standards for each category of digital tool.
- Address existing gaps in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight.
- Prohibit AI chatbots from posing as licensed professionals.
- Enact comprehensive data privacy laws and implement “safe-by-default” settings.
Building Professional Competence in AI and Mental Health Practice
The advisory also highlights a critical training gap among clinicians, noting that many lack sufficient knowledge about AI systems, algorithmic bias, and data privacy. Professional associations and health systems are urged to train clinicians on responsible and ethical AI use.
Mental health professionals are further encouraged to discuss their patients’ use of chatbots or wellness applications and integrate these insights into ethical clinical practice.
Human Expertise Must Remain Central to Mental Health Care
“Artificial intelligence will play a critical role in the future of health care, but it cannot fulfill that promise unless we also confront the long-standing challenges in mental health,” Evans said. “We must push for systemic reform to make care more affordable, accessible, and timely—and to ensure that AI supports rather than replaces human professionals.”
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