A survey revealed that 63% of people have used AI to seek psychological support, and 42% always follow AI advice.
AIs like ChatGPT and Gemini are capable of interacting in a way that is remarkably human-like, and some people use them as daily advisors and conversation partners. A new report published by the French financial and insurance group
Mind Health Report 2026.pdf
(PDF file) https://www-axa-com.cdn.prismic.io/www-axa-com/ah6dqAeQX7-eWiOH_axa_mind_health_report_2026_va.pdf
Mental health: although screens can play a negative role, more than 6 out of 10 people turn to artificial intelligence for psychological support. | AXA
https://www.axa.com/en/press/press-releases/2026-mind-health-report
Since 2021, AXA and IPSOS have been publishing the 'Mind Health Report,' a report that surveys mental health among people around the world. The 2026 edition of the report, published on June 3, 2026, summarizes the results of a survey conducted among a total of 19,000 people aged 18 to 75 living in 18 countries: the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan.
This report found that 46% of respondents reported experiencing mental distress or depression. This is a 6
Survey respondents reported spending more than 5.1 hours a day on screens, excluding work hours and weekends, with this figure reaching 6.4 hours per day in the Philippines and Thailand. Despite this, 75% felt that screen time negatively impacted their daily lives, and 40% felt lonely on a regular basis.
Furthermore, 63% of survey respondents said they had used AI for mental health issues, and 21% said they use AI on a daily basis. Many common chat AIs are free, and unlike human counselors or medical institutions, they are available 24/7. Their popularity seems to stem from their ability to provide immediate answers and the fact that they do not instill fear or embarrassment.
The survey found that 55% were satisfied with AI responses, but 45% were dissatisfied with AI responses regarding mental health. 42% consistently follow AI mental health advice, and 38% trust AI platforms more than mental health professionals. However, 32% of users reported feeling uncomfortable with AI advice, and 28% reported taking harmful actions based on AI advice.
While 48% of respondents said they would prefer not to discuss mental health issues at work, 84% said they would be willing to participate in mental health and well-being support programs offered by their employers. This result highlights the crucial role companies play in supporting their employees.
Patrick Cohen, CEO of AXA's European Market and Healthcare division, said, 'We believe responsible employers should focus on overcoming the fundamental barrier: access to initial consultations. While it's clear that AI is playing an increasingly important role in early intervention, these tools cannot replace therapists.'
Related Posts:
in AI, Posted by log1h_ik