A senior NHS leader has issued a stark warning for people struggling with their mental health this Christmas to avoid turning to artificial intelligence chatbots for support.
The 'Dangerous' Rise of AI Counsellors
Dr Adrian James, the national medical director for mental health at NHS England, said the growing trend of seeking counselling from AI tools is "dangerous". He explained that these systems often lack critical context and can provide harmful guidance. "The vast majority of AI chatbots do not have access to your mental health history, cannot fully understand the nuances during a serious mental health situation, and can give completely wrong advice," Dr James stated.
His warning comes as new data reveals a significant shift in how people seek help. A survey published last month by the charity Mental Health UK found that 37% of adults had used an AI chatbot for wellbeing support. The poll of 2,000 people identified key reasons for this trend:
- Four in ten cited ease of access.
- Almost a quarter pointed to long waiting times for NHS support.
Why AI Lacks the Human Touch in a Crisis
Dr James, a practising psychiatrist, highlighted a specific and grave concern regarding the technology's design. "My biggest worry is for those users who are at risk of losing touch with reality," he said. "During an episode of psychosis, people are at higher risk of self-harm and suicide, and chatbots have an in-built preference to agree while lacking the sophistication to pick up on and to challenge problematic thoughts - this could lead to potentially dangerous situations."
He has observed an increase in vulnerable patients using AI for mental health support over the past year. While acknowledging AI's value in other areas, he stressed it cannot be relied upon for clinical mental health care.
Seeking Safe Support Over the Festive Period
The NHS is urging anyone in need of help to use its official services, which remain available throughout Christmas. "It is vital that people know that they can turn to the NHS for help," Dr James emphasised, recognising that financial pressures and isolation can intensify during the holidays.
He outlined the safe routes to access support:
- For urgent crisis support, phone 111.
- For issues like depression or anxiety, refer yourself to an NHS talking therapy service online at nhs.uk.
- Contact your GP practice.
NHS England also reported that digital health tools are in high demand. The NHS App now has over 39 million registered users. On Christmas Day last year alone, 313,000 people used the app, with an average of over 200 logins every minute.
Jules Hunt, interim director general for technology, digital and data, encouraged the public to use the app's features for prescriptions and health advice, while reminding everyone to use 999 and A&E for life-threatening emergencies.
