THE ROLE OF CHATBOTS IN DELIVERING SCALABLE PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

The growing prevalence of mental health challenges, coupled with limited access to professional psychosocial support, has prompted the exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. Chatbots AI-powered conversational agents have emerged as promising tools for delivering scalable, accessible, and cost-effective psychosocial interventions. This study provides a qualitative analysis of the opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations associated with AI chatbots in mental health care. Through a thematic review of empirical studies, case reports, and peer-reviewed literature, the study identifies key benefits, including 24/7 accessibility, early detection of mental health concerns, standardization of evidence-based interventions, and enhanced user engagement through personalized interactions. Simultaneously, the study highlights challenges such as the lack of genuine empathy, data privacy and security concerns, over-reliance on AI, cultural and contextual limitations, and ethical considerations related to transparency and algorithmic bias. Recommendations include adopting hybrid models that integrate human oversight, implementing robust data protection protocols, ensuring cultural adaptability, enhancing personalization, and establishing ethical frameworks for deployment. The findings underscore that while chatbots cannot replace human therapists, they can serve as valuable complements, expanding the reach of psychosocial support and improving mental health outcomes globally.