Chatbot-delivered mental health support: Attitudes and utilization in a sample of U.S. college students.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Chatbots' rapid advancements raise the possibility that they can be used to deliver mental health support. However, public utilization of and opinions toward chatbots for mental health support are poorly understood.

Methods

Survey study of 428 U.S. university students who participated in early 2024, just over one year after the release of ChatGPT. Descriptive analyses examined utilization of and attitudes toward both traditional mental health services (i.e. psychotherapy, counseling, or medication) and chatbot-delivered mental health support.

Results

Nearly half (49%) of participants reported having used a chatbot for any purpose, yet only 5% reported seeking mental health support from a chatbot (8% when only considering participants with probable depression

SUBMITTER: Rackoff GN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11748072 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature