Medical Xpress December 15, 2025
New Edith Cowan University (ECU) research suggests artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT may help reduce mental health stigma, particularly for people hesitant to seek traditional face-to-face support.
The study, published in Behavioral Sciences, was led by ECU Master of Clinical Psychology student Scott Hannah, with supervision from Professor Joanne Dickson. It is one of the first to examine how using ChatGPT for mental health concerns relates to stigma.
Researchers surveyed 73 people who had used ChatGPT for personal mental health support, investigating ChatGPT use and its perceived effectiveness related to stigma.
“The findings suggest that believing the tool is effective plays an important role in reducing concerns about external judgment,” Hannah said.
Understanding stigma
Stigma is a major barrier to...
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