Improving Mental Health Through AI

After coming out of an exhausting and stressful COVID lockdown, the conversation around mental health has been passionately reinvigorated. The pandemic has caused high levels of stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues for many individuals. Companies focusing on bringing technology to aid mental health exist now more than ever and the demand for these products has sky-rocketed.

Covid-19 has especially impacted the mental health of frontline workers, such as doctors, nurses, care aides, ambulance attendants and healthcare workers. These people have been working tirelessly to care for those affected by the virus.

Mental health can be challenging to navigate for frontline workers as well as everyday people, and the importance of defining a formula to address this issue is becoming more and more necessary. Getting in front of issues like anxiety, burn-out, depression, stress, fatigue and sleep issues makes for a happier and healthier life both professionally and personally.

At Upword, we know that AI is an extremely powerful tool and should be made accessible to everyone. There are companies out there racing to develop a strategy to address the mental health crisis using AI. To simplify the process and shine a light on these resources, we have compiled a list of three technology companies that leverage AI to help users manage their mental health. Each one has a unique approach and strategy to combat mental health issues and strengthen resiliency.

Here they are:

Misu

Misu is an app that uses AI to automatically track your mood dozens of times each day by studying your subtle or micro facial expressions through your smartphone’s front camera. This allows users to see patterns of stress and anxiety throughout the day. The downside of this app is that you need to bring your phone up to your face several times a day – the upside is that this is a very easy process!

Breathhh

Breathhh is a unique Google Chrome extension that uses AI to monitor your activity level and interject when it feels like your level of anxiety, stress or burnout may be increasing. It offers prompts and exercises to promote mental well-being. Breathhh offers you a mood diary, breathing exercises and specific warm-ups to build into your day to limit anxiety and stress.

Replika

Replika is an AI chatbot designed to be your virtual companion. It will listen, converse and store memories, so whether you need to vent or are just looking for easy conversation, it’s there for you. Many people who use Replika cannot believe they are chatting with AI – the responses seem so genuine and human! Imagine your best friend at your fingertips 24/7.

A large part of the newly sparked conversation around mental health can be attributed to the social isolation and quarantine measures that were put in place to control the spread of the virus. These measures have forced many people to stay home and limit their social interactions, which leads to feelings of loneliness, boredom, isolation, and frustration.

Whether you are a burnt-out healthcare worker feeling like there’s never enough time in the day, or an insomniac who struggles to shut off your brain at night, or just someone who doesn’t feel great in general, try any one of these three AI softwares that are designed to help strengthen your mental health. The options for treating mental health used to be limited but today, there’s an abundance of resources. Try implementing them on a daily basis to see what AI can do for you.

It’s important to note that AI is not a replacement for mental health professionals or treatment.