Discovering the Role of AI Talking Heads for Mental Health & Therapy

One in every eight people in the world is living with a mental disorder (or about 970 million, 2019), with depressive disorders and anxiety as the most common ones.

And because of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), those living with these mental disorders rose significantly as well, according to the World Health Organization.

As for the world economy, mental illnesses are projected to cost around $16 trillion by 2030.

Although we do not know precisely why they are so common today, contributing factors include modern society's demands and the impact of the pandemic.

According to STATISTA, the number of US adult patients receiving counseling or inpatient and outpatient care has been rising in the last two decades.

However, estimates suggest that only 50% of mental health illness sufferers receive treatment. One factor is limited access to care, based on a report by Mental Health America (2023), with about 30 million patients not receiving any treatment.

Now, with one of the latest technological advancements, AI talking heads, which many experts believe have the potential to revolutionize how patients receive mental health counseling and therapy.

Interesting? Let’s explore that further in the following.

What Are AI Talking Heads & How Can They Aid in Mental Health Counseling and Therapy?

AI avatars or talking heads are AI-powered personas that mimic human conversation.

Picture this: You’re having a counseling session with a digital avatar, with soothing facial expressions and relatable voices or with a more neutral or professional tone, helping you with your mental health issue.

AI talking heads can ask questions and gauge your responses, providing an initial mental health assessment. They can offer ongoing support for emotional well-being with mood check-ins, exercises, and stress management tips as well.

What Are the Benefits of AI Talking Heads in Mental Health?

AI in healthcare has many uses, including reducing costs, improving patient-provider experience, giving healthcare access to more people, increasing efficiency, enhancing operation efficiency, and facilitating safer surgeries. However, regarding mental health care and therapy, the following are the most significant benefits of AI talking heads.

AI in Mental Health: Convenience, Accessibility, & Availability

Some patients find it uncomfortable to attend in-person therapy, while others struggle to find local therapists.

With AI talking heads, they can access mental health support anytime, anywhere.

After all, many mental health services are now available on mobile devices, with AI talking heads leading the way for supporting patients in moments of need, even when they’re not at home.

AI apps for mental health include Meru Health, Ginger, Woebot, Wysa, and Headspace.

Anxiety, or another form of mental health struggle, may attack at any time. It doesn’t adhere to business hours. Fortunately, AI talking heads are not only accessible but also available 24/7.

So, suppose you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, or loneliness. In that case, you may be able to reach out to an AI avatar, especially during weekends or late nights when local services may not be operational.

AI Talking Heads: Affordable Mental Health Care

Americans spend $1,080 annually or $90 monthly (average) on treatment, representing five percent of their monthly income.

US economy: Mental illness costs $282 billion annually, researchers report.

Undoubtedly, the cost is a significant factor in mental health care. The average folk might not be able to afford traditional therapy consistently.

AI talking heads in mental health care do not replace licensed therapists, but they can be more affordable and accessible regarding support. Thus, more people can access care they won’t otherwise be able to afford.

AI for Patient Care and Support: Anonymity

People with mental health issues struggle with stigma, wherein others see them negatively because of their mental illness.

But talking to a digital avatar gives them a sense of privacy and anonymity—care that feels more private, allowing them to confide how they feel without fear of being misunderstood or judged.

Especially among those new to mental health care, this can be a huge relief.

[Stigma in mental health illness: People having an unfair belief or attitude about someone who’s struggling with mental health disorders or challenges, which, as a result, make the latter feel ‘excluded’ or ashamed. And consequently feel distressed, stopping them from asking for support and help.]

AI Talking Avatars in Mental Health: Current Uses

AI talking heads have only been around for a while, but they’ve been used in numerous ways within the mental health care industry.

Virtual counseling support

Digital mental health care avatars can guide patients through mindful practices, thought exercises, and relaxation techniques.

Picture this: An AI avatar is talking to a patient, encouraging the latter to do breathing exercises during panic attacks or focus on positive affirmations when feeling down.

AI Mental Health Screening and Initial Assessment

Before meeting with a human therapist, AI talking heads can screen and assess a patient’s mental health by asking them diagnostic questions. Some questions are related to energy levels, sleep, and mood.

Thus, AI can assist in gathering information on a patient's current mental state, especially those who are new to mental health care and may not know where to begin in their journey to healing.

AI-Assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Exercises

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aids in managing mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety and depression) through goal-oriented and structured talk therapy. It can also help with chronic pain, insomnia, and other nonpsychological health issues.

AI talking heads can guide patients through these exercises to manage their mental health challenges.

For instance, an AI avatar can help users reframe their thoughts and monitor their behavior patterns and mood.

AI for Mood Tracking and Emotional Check-Ins

How have you been feeling today? It’s only one of the questions AI talking heads can ask when checking in with patients daily or weekly. They can also log users’ moods, track their sleep patterns, and monitor their general well-being.

The Future of AI Talking Heads In Mental Health

ai talking heads in mental health

They’re likely to continue to evolve and offer more advanced features, such as integration with human therapists. For instance, in the future, they may work alongside professionals to gather user data to understand their daily mental health, and the therapist can review it for more targeted treatment.

As AI talking heads become more common in mental health care, stricter standards of privacy and security will also apply. Lastly, as they advance, AI talking heads will provide better support and responses to users based on their interactions (learning about their responses, preferences, and mood patterns), thus allowing AI to offer personalized support.