The emerging trend of mental health chatbots like Earkick and Woebot is raising questions about whether they are providing a valuable service or simply a form of self-help. These chatbots, powered by generative AI, offer users a comforting and sympathetic experience when discussing anxiety or stress. While they do not claim to diagnose or treat medical conditions, they are being used to address the mental health crisis among teens and young adults.

Earkick co-founder Karin Andrea Stephan emphasizes that their app is not a form of therapy, despite using therapeutic techniques. The lack of FDA regulation for these apps has led to concerns about their effectiveness and safety. Some experts believe that chatbots could be beneficial for less severe mental health issues, but there is limited data on their long-term impact.

Despite these concerns, chatbots are already being used in healthcare settings due to a shortage of mental health professionals. The U.K.'s National Health Service offers a chatbot called Wysa to help with stress and anxiety, while some U.S. insurers and hospitals are also providing similar programs. Dr. Angela Skrzynski, a family physician, notes that patients are receptive to using chatbots, especially when faced with long waiting lists for therapy.

Woebot, founded in 2017, is one of the older companies in the field and uses a structured script approach rather than generative AI. While their research shows promising results in reducing symptoms of depression and distress in the short term, there are concerns about their ability to recognize emergency situations. The FDA has not approved any of Woebot's apps, though the company has submitted one for review.

Overall, the use of mental health chatbots is a complex issue that raises questions about regulation, effectiveness, and safety. While they may offer a valuable resource for some individuals, more research is needed to fully understand their impact on mental health.