A majority of adolescents and young adults who use AI chatbots for mental health advice do not tell anyone. Among users, 63.3% said they had not disclosed their chatbot use to family, friends or other trusted individuals, according to a study published June 1 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Researchers from Rand in Arlington, Va., and Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham conducted a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of 1,009 adolescents and young adults ages 12-21 in November. Responses were weighted to represent an estimated 42.8 million U.S. youths. Participants were asked about AI chatbot use for mental health advice, frequency of use, perceived helpfulness and whether they disclosed their use to others.
Here are five things to know:
- Nearly 1 in 5 adolescents and young adults reported using AI chatbots for mental health advice. Researchers estimated that 19.2% of U.S. adolescents and young adults ages 12-21 — about 8.2 million people nationwide — had used AI chatbots for mental health advice in 2025.
- Many users turn to chatbots repeatedly. Among respondents who sought mental health advice from AI chatbots, 42.8% used them at least monthly. That included 26.3% who used them at least once a month, 10.8% at least weekly and 5.8% daily or almost daily.
- Most users viewed the advice as helpful. About 91.7% of respondents who used AI chatbots for mental health advice rated the guidance as somewhat or very helpful. One-fourth described the advice as very helpful.
- Use was more common among females and older respondents. Researchers found 25% of females and 24.1% of respondents ages 18-21 reported using AI chatbots for mental health advice. The study also found use was more common among females than males and among older respondents than those ages 12-14.
- Chatbot use often coincided with traditional care. Researchers found 27.7% of respondents who had spoken with a physician about their mental health in the previous six months reported using AI chatbots for mental health advice.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.